title: Wheelchair-specific fitness of persons with a long-term spinal cord injury: cross-sectional study on effects of time since injury and physical activity level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the impact of time since injury (TSI) and physical activity (PA) on fitness of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study. Persons with SCI (N = 158) in three TSI strata: 10-19, 20-29 and ≥30 years after SCI and divided in an active and inactive group. Fitness [peak power output (POpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)] was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In persons with tetraplegia, no significant relationship was found between TSI and fitness after controlling for confounders, while a higher activity level was related to a higher POpeak in this group. Active people with tetraplegia also showed less decline in POpeak with an increase in TSI compared to inactive people. In persons with paraplegia, after controlling for confounders, it was shown that TSI had a negative effect on POpeak, while PA was not significantly associated with fitness in people with paraplegia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In people with paraplegia, fitness was significantly lower in those with a longer TSI. Persons with a long TSI might need more attention to remain fit and PA might be an important element in that respect as shown by the results of the group with a tetraplegia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wheelchair-specific fitness seems to diminish over time after paraplegia. An active lifestyle is related to wheelchair-specific fitness in persons with tetraplegia. Prevention of long-term deconditioning is very important.
authors: a Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade , Amsterdam , Netherlands .|b University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences , Groningen , The Netherlands .
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: de Groot
authors: b University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences , Groningen , The Netherlands .
authors: Jan W
authors: JW
authors: van der Scheer
authors: c Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University , Amsterdam , The Netherlands .
authors: Arjan J T
authors: AJ
authors: Bakkum
authors: d Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation , Utrecht , The Netherlands .
authors: Jacinthe J E
authors: JJ
authors: Adriaansen
authors: e SCI Unit, Reade , Amsterdam , The Netherlands .
authors: Christof A
authors: CA
authors: Smit
authors: f SCI Unit, Rehabilitation Center De Hoogstraat , Utrecht , The Netherlands , and.
authors: Catja
authors: C
authors: Dijkstra
authors: d Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation , Utrecht , The Netherlands .|g Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
authors: Marcel W M
authors: MW
authors: Post
authors: b University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences , Groningen , The Netherlands .|g Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
authors: Lucas H V
authors: LH
authors: van der Woude
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Exercise tests; oxygen consumption; physical exertion; physiology; spinal cord injuries; wheelchair