Cardioventilatory differences in spinal cord injured subjects during peak exercise testing

Cardioventilatory values, collected during incremental exercise, are compared in spinal cord injured (SCI) subjects and controls. Three individuals with chronic low-level paraplegia and 3 able-bodied controls performed incremental exercise using an arm ergometer. Significant group differences were observed for ventilation, tidal volume and peak flow, which may be attributed to changes in breathing patterns to compensate for decreased control of thorax musculature due to SCI. There were no significant differences in overall mean values of O₂ uptake or O₂ pulse during rest and exercise. Mean values for O₂ uptake, however, were significantly. higher in subjects with paraplegia at the anaerobic threshold (AT). Additionally, AT occurred at a significantly higher percentage of peak O₂ uptake. This may be due to increased upper body strength that results from chronic daily wheelchair activity; possibly leading to increased rate of lipid utilization and lower respiratory exchange ratio during arm exercise. Relationships between cardioventilatory and autonomic changes during exercise are currently being investigated.