Longitudinal Changes in Physical Capacity Over 20 Years in Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury

Shiba S, Okawa H, Uenishi H, Koike Y, Yamauchi K, Asayama K, Nakamura T, Tajima F. Longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury.ObjectiveTo investigate the longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignLongitudinal study (20-y follow-up).SettingLaboratory setting.ParticipantsPersons with SCI (N=7).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresMaximum oxygen consumption V̇o2max) measured in 1986–1988 and in 2006.ResultsSubjects with SCI maintained stable V̇o2max in 2006. Six of the 7 continued various wheelchair sports activities, while 1 person quit sports activities 1 year after the baseline study. The latter person showed reduced V̇o2max by 53%, while 2 persons who continued strenuous wheelchair sports activities showed increased V̇o2max by 43% and 45% after 20 years.ConclusionThe results indicated that physical capacity reflected the level of sports activity in subjects with SCI who maintained sports activities.