Passive leg movements and passive cycling do not alter arterial leg blood flow in subjects with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
Subjects with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease-related secondary complications, such as pressure ulcers and attenuated wound healing. It has been suggested that passive exercise enhances blood flow via mechanical pump effects or reflex activation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of passive leg movements and passive cycling on the arterial circulation in subjects with SCI.


METHODS
Eight men with motor complete SCI and 8 male control subjects participated.


METHODS
Echo Doppler measurements were obtained to measure leg blood flow at rest, during and after 10 minutes of standardized passive leg movements, and during and after 20 minutes of passive leg cycling. Blood pressure was measured continuously, and total vascular resistance and leg vascular resistance were calculated.


RESULTS
In both groups, no changes in leg blood flow, vascular resistance, or blood pressure were observed during or after the 2 interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study demonstrate that passive leg movements and passive cycling do not alter the arterial peripheral circulation in subjects with SCI or control subjects. Although the results do not support the use of passive movements or exercise for the prevention of cardiovascular disease-related secondary complications, physical therapists should not be dissuaded from using these techniques to address musculoskeletal concerns.
Ter Woerds
Walter
W
Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
De Groot
Patricia C E
PC
van Kuppevelt
Dirk H J M
DH
Hopman
Maria T E
MT
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012146:Rest; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014655:Vascular Resistance