Seated Double-Poling Ergometer Performance of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury – A New Ergometer Concept for Standardized Upper Body Exercise

A. Bjerkefors; F. Tinmark; J. Nilsson; A. Arndt

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1311653

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(02): 176-182
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311653

Clinical Sciences

Seated Double-Poling Ergometer Performance of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury – A New Ergometer Concept for Standardized Upper Body Exercise

A. Bjerkefors

¹Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden

²Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

,

F. Tinmark

¹Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden

²Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

,

J. Nilsson

¹Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden

,

A. Arndt

¹Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden

³Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate biomechanics during seated double-poling exercises in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to compare these with those of able-bodied persons (AB). 26 participants volunteered for the study; 13 with SCI (injury levels C7-T12), and 13 AB. A seated double-poling ergometer (SDPE) was developed. 3-dimensional kinematics was measured and piezoelectric force sensors were used to register force in both poles for calculation of power during incremental intensities. Significantly lower power outputs, (143.2±51.1 vs. 198.3±74.9 W) and pole forces (137.1±43.1 vs. 238.2±81.2 N) were observed during maximal effort in SCI compared to AB. Sagittal upper trunk range of motion increased with intensity and ranged from 6.1–34.8° for SCI, and 6.9–31.3° for AB, with larger peak amplitudes in flexion for AB (31.4±12.9°) compared to SCI (10.0±8.0°). All subjects with SCI were able to exercise on the SDPE. Upper body kinematics, power and force outputs increased with intensity in both groups, but were in general, lower in SCI. In conclusion, the SDPE could be successfully used at low to high work intensities enabling both endurance and strength training for individuals with SCI.

Key words

training - paraplegia - tetraplegia - ergometer - force - kinematics

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References

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