Cardiovascular Training in Spinal Cord Injury

Original Editor - Naomi O'Reilly

Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Ewa Jaraczewska, Admin, Tarina van der Stockt, Kim Jackson, Jess Bell, Anas Mohamed, Stacy Schiurring, Lucinda hampton and Olajumoke Ogunleye  

Introduction

Aerobic activity involves the use of oxygen to meet the energy demands of the body’s muscles during exercise. It is associated with longer duration exercise during a given session of training, often at a consistent pace. Regular aerobic training will improve cardiovascular function. With improved cardiovascular function, individuals are more likely to be able to live independently, decrease secondary health complications, and improve muscular endurance.

Definition

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Sport Science and Medicine cardiovascular fitness is the "ability of the heart and blood vessels to supply nutrients and oxygen to tissues, including muscles, during sustained exercise".

Assessment of Cardiovascular Fitness

In order to develop appropriate exercise programs and monitor the response to training it is important to first assess cardiovascular fitness under reproducible test situations, ensuring factors such as the type of ergometer, constraints used, position of individual are standardized. Precautions should also be followed when conducting cardiovascular assessments as strenuous exercise can lead to a cardiovascular event.

Peak Oxygen Consumption Tests

The peak oxygen consumption (VO2 Max) test, equivalent to the VO2 Max Test in able bodied individuals that measures the maximal capacity of the body to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the mitochondria of exercising muscles by expired gas collection, is the most accurate way to assess cardiovascular fitness. In individuals with a spinal cord injury, the VO2 Max Test is typically performed using an arm cycle ergometer, but can also be completed with manual wheelchair propulsion or handcycle on an ergometer or treadmill with gradually increasing exercise intensities until exhaustion.

Submaximal Exercise Tests

Field Exercise Tests

Response to Cardiovascular Fitness Training

Cardiac Output

Heart Rate

Stroke Volume

Aterio-venous Oxygen Difference

Size Exercising Muscle Mass

Ability Muscle to Extract Oxygen

Exercise Prescription

Type

Examples of Cardiovascular Exercise include; Arm Crank Ergometers Cycling Nordic Ski Erg Swimming Wheelchair Pushing Walking

Intensity

Guidelines

Resources

References

References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.