The effect of increasing effort on movement economy during incremental cycling exercise in individuals early after acquired brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of increasing effort on energy cost as measured by oxygen consumption (VO2) during cycling exercise in individuals early after acquired brain injury (ABI).


METHODS
An experimental correlation design.


METHODS
Specialist neurorehabilitation centre.


METHODS
Thirty-eight individuals were recruited early after acquired brain injury. Nine individuals had spasticity; Ashworth Scale >1 in either upper or lower limbs.


METHODS
The VO2 was measured in relation to workload during a graded exercise test.


RESULTS
The VO2 increased in a linear fashion with increases in workload in 34 individuals. Only one individual with spasticity demonstrated a nonlinear relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing the workload during cycling exercise does not disproportionately increase energy cost in most individuals with spasticity early after ABI.
Dawes
Helen
H
School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes University and Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre (RRC), Oxford, UK. hdawes@brookes.ac.uk
Bateman
A
A
Culpan
J
J
Scott
Oona
O
Wade
Derick T
DT
Roach
Neil
N
Greenwood
R
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation