Abstract

Aim. To study cardiovascular benefits induced by sports practiced by athletes with different locomotor disabilities (LDA), while using only upper limbs, the hypothesis that LDA sports are able to determine an increase of oxygen consumption peak (VO2peak), thus overcoming the typical VO2peak values due to residual motor functionality, has been tested. Methods. In laboratory, VO2peak and residual motor functionality (from class 1 to 4) was assessed in 117 LDA competing in numerous paralympic sports such as: shooting (S), archery (A), table tennis (TT), wheelchair tennis (WCT), fencing (F), field events (WCFE), alpine sitting skiing (AsS), swimming (S), wheelchair basket (WCB), nordic sitting skiing (NsS) and 10000 meter wheelchair track events (WCTE). In 30 athletes, while practicing WCT, F, WCB, WCTE and NsS, oxygen consumption was measured also on court (cVO2). Based on cVO2 sports groups (SG) with similar characteristics were formed. Results. Court VO2 was equal to 1.55±0.21 l . min-1 in WCT and F, 1.75±0.25 in WCB and 2.47±0.49 in NsS and WCTE. Court VO2 and VO2peak correlated to each other and exercise intensity ranged between 69% VO2peak (WCTE, F, WCT, WCB) and 76% VO2peak (NsS). VO2peak values equal to 26.6±4.8 ml . kg-1 . min-1; but not different from values of sedentary LD were found in S, TT and A assigned to SG1. LDA practicing NsS and WCTE, sports assigned to SG4 were showed the highest values (48±9 ml . kg-1 . min-1). Intermediate VO2peak values (17% higher than SG1) were found in LDA practicing WCT, F and WCFE (SG2) and in LDA (32% higher than SG1) of AsS, S and WCB (SG3). This VO2peak increase was not present throughout the 4 functional-classes: only class1 had VO2peak different from class 3 and class 4. Conclusion. Sports in fact induce cardiovascular adaptations, being VO2peak in LDA associated with sport practice rather than functional classification. Verf.-Referat