Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this investigation was to compare cardiac output (Qc) in paraplegic subjects (P) with wheelchair-confined control subjects (C) at high intensities of arm exercise. At low and moderate exercise intensity Qc was the same at a given oxygen uptake (VO2) in P and C. A group of 11 athletic male P with complete spinal-cord lesions between T6 and T12 and a group of 5 well-matched athletic male C performed maximal arm-cranking exercise and submaximal exercise at 50, 70 and 80 of each individuals maximal power output (Wmax). Maximal VO2 (VO2max) was significantly lower, VO2max per kilogram body mass was equal and maximal heart rate (fc) was significantly higher in P compared to C. At VO2 of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 l/min, and for P 65-90 of the VO2max, Qc was not significantly different between the groups, although, Qc in P was achieved with a significantly lower stroke volume (SV) and a significantly higher fc. Although the SV was lower in P, it followed the same pattern as SV in C during incremental exercise, i.e. an increase in SV until about 45 Wmax and thereafter a stable SV. The similar Qc at a given VO2 in both groups indicated that, even at high exercise intensities, circulation in P can be considered isokinetic with a complete compensation by fc for a lower SV.