title: Cardio-respiratory and subjective strains sustained by paraplegic subjects, when travelling on a cross slope in a manual wheelchair (MWC).
abstract: The aim of this study was to quantify cardiac, energetic and subjective strains during manual wheelchair (MWC) travel on cross slopes (Cs). 25 paraplegics achieved eight 300 m propulsion tests combining 4 Cs (0, 2, 8 and 12%) and 2 velocities (Vi = 0.97 m s(-1), Vc "comfortable"). Heart rate and oxygen uptake were recorded continuously. Subjective rating (RPE) was made on completion of each test. Vc exceeds Vi for all Cs. Cardiac and energetic strains at Vc also exceed those at Vi (p < 0.01). Mean cardiac cost (in bpm) at Vc is 34 (SD = 13) bpm for a 0/2% Cs and 55 (18) bpm for a 12% Cs. Mean energetic cost (in J m(-1) kg(-1)) is 1.20 (0.38) and 2.76 (0.97) for respectively 0/2% and 12% Cs at Vi and, at Vc 1.50 (0.43) and 3.37 (1.43) for 0/2% and 12% Cs respectively. Subjective rating was considered as moderate for a 12% Cs. MWC users with high level injuries travel faster as those with low level injuries. Strain increase is linear for Cs from 0% to 12%. The results suggest that 2% Cs is generally acceptable, while 8% would be a critical threshold.
authors: Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, 1 rue du Morvan, CS 60027, Vandoeuvre les Nancy Cedex 54519, France; Institut Régional de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, 75 boulevard Lobau, CS 34209, Nancy Cedex 54042, France; Centre de Ressources, d'Expertise et de Performance Sportives, 1 Av Foch, BP 30020, Essey les Nancy 54271, France. Electronic address: benoit.pierret@yahoo.fr.
authors: Benoît
authors: B
authors: Pierret
authors: Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, 1 rue du Morvan, CS 60027, Vandoeuvre les Nancy Cedex 54519, France. Electronic address: kevin.desbrosses@inrs.fr.
authors: Kévin
authors: K
authors: Desbrosses
authors: Institut Régional de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, 75 boulevard Lobau, CS 34209, Nancy Cedex 54042, France. Electronic address: jean.paysant@ugecamne.fr.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Paysant
authors: Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, 1 rue du Morvan, CS 60027, Vandoeuvre les Nancy Cedex 54519, France. Electronic address: meyer@inrs.fr.
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000209:etiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cross slope; Strains; Wheelchair