Optimal intensity for respiratory muscle endurance training in patients with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
Respiratory muscle endurance of able-bodied persons, assessed by normocapnic hyperpnoea at 70% of their maximal voluntary ventilation, usually ranges from 10 to 20 minutes. The aim of this study was to determine the level of ventilation that patients with paraplegia and tetraplegia can sustain for 10-20 minutes to later be used as the guideline for respiratory muscle endurance training.


METHODS
Pilot study; cross-over setting.


METHODS
Two groups, 8 patients with paraplegia and 6 with tetraplegia.


METHODS
Respiratory muscle endurance tests were performed at 3 different intensities of normocapnic hyperpnoea, i.e. 20%, 40% and 60% maximal voluntary ventilation. Subjects performed partial re-breathing from a bag to assure normocapnia. Respiratory endurance was separately analysed for patients with paraplegia and tetraplegia.


RESULTS
Mean respiratory endurance times were 46.0, 18.9 and 4.2 minutes at 20%, 40% and 60% maximal voluntary ventilation in patients with tetraplegia and 51.8, 38.8 and 12.2 minutes in patients with paraplegia. The duration differed significantly at 60% maximal voluntary ventilation between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Minute ventilation to perform respiratory muscle endurance training can be set at around 40% of maximal voluntary ventilation for patients with tetraplegia and around 60% of maximal voluntary ventilation for patients with paraplegia, as these levels can be sustained for 10-20 minutes.
Mueller
Gabi
G
Swiss Paraplegic Research, Institute for Sports Medicine, Nottwil, Switzerland. gabi.mueller@paranet.ch
Perret
Claudio
C
Spengler
Christina M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014939:Work of Breathing / Q000502:physiology