Glucose tolerance and physical activity level in people with spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Cross-sectional, observational study.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the associations of physical activity and neurological lesion level with glucose tolerance in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
Twenty-five people (5 women, 20 men) with SCI (>6 months post-injury) aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited. Exclusion criteria included known coronary heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations were classified according to the World Health Organization categories of glycemia. Participants also completed the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities and mean MET-hours day(-1) was calculated. Associations with the 2-h plasma glucose concentration were calculated through multiple and stepwise regressions.


RESULTS
Participants presented with complete or incomplete tetraplegia (n=11 TETRA) or complete or incomplete paraplegia (n=14 PARA) with neurological lesion levels ranging from C3/4 to T12. Mean 2-h plasma glucose was 7.13+/-2.32 mmol l(-1). Nine participants had disordered glycemia (n=6 TETRA; n=3 PARA) and the remaining participants had normal glucose tolerance. Those participants with normal glucose tolerance participated in more moderate-vigorous and strength exercise and undertook more non-exercise-related mobility than those with disordered glycemia. Physical activity and age, but not lesion level were independent determinants of 2-h plasma glucose concentration (r=0.683, P=0.001), explaining 47% of the variance.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity level is independently associated with glucose tolerance in people with SCI. Non-exercise activity may also be important for maintaining normal glycemia.
Raymond
J
J
Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia. j.raymond@usyd.edu.au
Harmer
A R
AR
Temesi
J
J
van Kemenade
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose