Longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Longitudinal study (20-y follow-up).


METHODS
Laboratory setting.


METHODS
Persons with SCI (N=7).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Maximum oxygen consumption Vo(2)max) measured in 1986-1988 and in 2006.


RESULTS
Subjects with SCI maintained stable Vo(2)max in 2006. Six of the 7 continued various wheelchair sports activities, while 1 person quit sports activities 1 year after the baseline study. The latter person showed reduced Vo(2)max by 53%, while 2 persons who continued strenuous wheelchair sports activities showed increased Vo(2)max by 43% and 45% after 20 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that physical capacity reflected the level of sports activity in subjects with SCI who maintained sports activities.
Shiba
Sumiko
S
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama City, Japan.
Okawa
Hiroyuki
H
Uenishi
Hiroyasu
H
Koike
Yumi
Y
Yamauchi
Katuya
K
Asayama
Ko
K
Nakamura
Taro
T
Tajima
Fumihiro
F
D056352:Athletes; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014910:Wheelchairs