title: Low-Intensity Wheelchair Training in Inactive People with Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Propulsion Technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a low-intensity wheelchair training on propulsion technique in inactive people with long-term spinal cord injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in this multicenter nonblinded randomized controlled trial were inactive manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury for at least 10 yrs (N = 29), allocated to exercise (n = 14) or no exercise. The 16-wk training consisted of wheelchair treadmill propulsion at 30%-40% heart rate reserve or equivalent in rate of perceived exertion, twice a week, 30 mins per session. Propulsion technique was assessed at baseline as well as after 8, 16, and 42 wks during two submaximal treadmill-exercise blocks using a measurement wheel attached to a participant's own wheelchair. Changes over time between the groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests on difference scores (P < 0.05/3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data of 16 participants could be analyzed (exercise: n = 8). Significant differences between the exercise and control groups were only found in peak force after 8 wks (respective medians, -20 N vs. 1 N; P = 0.01; r(u) = 0.78).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant training effects on propulsion technique were not found in this group. Perhaps, substantial effects require a higher intensity or frequency. Investigating whether more effective and feasible interventions exist might help reduce the population's risk of upper-body joint damage during daily wheelchair propulsion.
authors: From the Center for Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (JWvdS, SdG, RJKV, JH, LHVvdW); Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center|Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (SdG); Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (MT, LHVvdW); Heliomare, Rehabilitation Center, Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands (HS); Research Institute MOVE, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands (DHEJV); and Department of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands (DHEJV).
authors: Jan W
authors: JW
authors: van der Scheer
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: de Groot
authors: Riemer J K
authors: RJ
authors: Vegter
authors: Johanneke
authors: J
authors: Hartog
authors: Marga
authors: M
authors: Tepper
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Slootman
authors: DirkJan H E J
authors: DH
authors: Veeger
authors: Lucas H V
authors: LH
authors: van der Woude
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014910:Wheelchairs