Effects of hand cycle training on wheelchair capacity during clinical rehabilitation in persons with a spinal cord injury

Purpose To evaluate the effects of a structured hand cycle training programme on physical capacity in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) during clinical rehabilitation. Method Twenty subjects with SCI who followed hand cycle training were compared with matched control subjects from a Dutch longitudinal cohort study, who received usual care. Primary outcomes of physical capacity were peak power output (POpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and oxygen pulse during a hand rim wheelchair test. Secondary outcome measures were isometric peak muscle strength of the upper extremities and pulmonary function. Hand cycle capacity (POpeak and VO2peak) was evaluated in the training group only. Results Strong tendencies for improvement were found in wheelchair capacity, reflected by POpeak and oxygen pulse after additional hand cycle training. Significant effects on shoulder exo- and endo-rotation and unilateral elbow flexion strength were found but no improvements on pulmonary function. Conclusions Additional hand cycle training during clinical rehabilitation seems to show similar or slightly favourable results on wheelchair capacity and muscle strength compared with regular care. The heterogeneous subject group and large variation in training period may explain the limited effects of additional hand cycle training on wheelchair capacity. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd

Influence of hand cycling on physical capacity in the rehabilitation of persons with a spinal cord injury: A longitudinal cohort study

Valent LJ, Dallmeijer AJ, Houdijk H, Slootman HJ, Post MW, van der Woude LH. Influence of hand cycling on physical capacity in the rehabilitation of persons with a spinal cord injury: a longitudinal cohort study. Objective: To investigate the influence of hand cycling on outcome measures of physical capacity during and after rehabilitation in persons with paraplegia and tetraplegia in The Netherlands. Design: A longitudinal cohort study with measurement moments at the start (t1) and end (t2) of clinical rehabilitation and 1 year after discharge (t3). Hand cycle use was assessed by means of questionnaires at t2 and t3. Setting: Eight rehabilitation centers in The Netherlands. Participants: Subjects (N=162) with a recent spinal cord injury. Interventions: All subjects followed the regular rehabilitation program. Main Outcome Measures: Peak oxygen uptake (V

Peak oxygen consumption in older adults with a lower limb amputation.

Objective: To investigate whether the aerobic capacity of older adults who underwent a lower limb amputation is associated with the presence, cause (traumatic or vascular), and level of amputation (transtibial or transfemoral). Design: Cross-sectional descriptive. Setting: Human motion laboratory at a rehabilitation center. Participants: Older subjects (n=36) who underwent lower limb amputation and age-matched, able-bodied controls (n=21). All subjects were able to walk for a minimum of 4 minutes. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Peak oxygen consumption (V

Effects of hand cycle training on physical capacity in individuals with tetraplegia: a clinical trial

Background. Regular physical activity is important for people with tetraplegia to maintain fitness but may not always be easily integrated into daily life. In many countries, hand cycling has become a serious option for daily mobility in people with tetraplegia. However, little information exists regarding the suitability of this exercise mode for this population. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured hand cycle training program in individuals with chronic tetraplegia. Design. Pretraining and posttraining outcome measurements of physical capacity were compared. Setting. Structured hand cycle interval training was conducted at home or in a rehabilitation center in the Netherlands. Participants. Twenty-two patients with tetraplegia (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale classification A-D) at least 2 years since injury participated. Intervention. The intervention was an 8- to 12-week hand cycle interval training program. Measures. Primary outcomes of physical capacity were: peak power output (POpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇