Locomotor-respiratory synchronization after body weight supported treadmill training in incomplete tetraplegia: a case report.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report on the respiratory and kinematic changes associated with body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) in an individual with an incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Human Locomotion Research Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada.


METHODS
A 38-year-old man with an incomplete SCI at the C1/C2 level, graded on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) as AIS D, participated in this case study. He performed three BWSTT sessions (45 min) per week for 12 weeks. Before and after training, respiration was measured at the mouth using a pneumotachograph while treadmill walking at 1.6 km h(-1).


RESULTS
Completion of 12 weeks of BWSTT resulted in a lowering of minute ventilation during treadmill exercise. A coupling of locomotion and respiration was observed during treadmill walking after the training program, whereas the relationship was initially absent.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates that BWSTT can result in a reduced ventilatory demand and promote locomotor-respiratory coupling during walking in an individual with an incomplete cervical SCI.
Sherman
M F B
MF
School of Human Kinetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Lam
T
T
Sheel
A W
AW
D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000293:injuries; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*