Exercise prescription in subjects with spinal cord injuries.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of training with ergometers on subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the postacute phase.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
A spinal unit at a physical medicine and rehabilitation institute.


METHODS
Twenty-one subjects with SCI in the postacute phase as a consecutive sample were chosen on a strict first-come, first-chosen basis. All patients completed the study.


METHODS
A 6-week (5d/wk, 90 min/d) program consisting of exercises with the ergometers formulated (as intensity and duration) for each patient on the basis of the results obtained in specific cardiovascular tests.


METHODS
Parameters of workload levels, as well as hematologic and hormonal parameters, recorded during the first 6 weeks of training.


RESULTS
The workload performed during the training showed an initial increase, but it reached a plateau in week 4. No statistically meaningful variations in the workload emerged between the fourth and the sixth weeks of monitoring. There were no hematologic or hormonal signs of overtraining.


CONCLUSIONS
Strengthening and aerobic rehabilitation programs for patients with subacute SCI should be limited to 4 weeks, followed by an independent maintenance exercise program. The strengthening program is safe for these patients.
Bizzarini
Emiliana
E
Ergonomics and Occupational Therapy, Spinal Unit, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute, # 4 Medio Friuli, via Gervasutta 48, 33100 Udine, Italy.
Saccavini
Marsilio
M
Lipanje
Federica
F
Magrin
Paolo
P
Malisan
Cristina
C
Zampa
Agostino
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001823:Body Composition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D016552:Ergometry; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
D014168:Transferrin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D006854:Hydrocortisone