The Effect of an Anti-G Suit on the Maximal Performance of Individuals with Paraplegia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether lower body positive pressure (LBPP) could improve maximal performance in paraplegic subjects (P). LBPP may diminish venous blood pooling (VBP) below the lesion and, therefore, support the redistribution of blood during exercise. Twelve male P subjects with complete spinal cord-lesions between T6 and T12, and 13 male able-bodied control subjects (C), performed maximal arm-cranking exercise with and without LBPP (52 mmHg) by means of an anti-gravity suit. P and C subjects had a significantly lower maximal heart rate (HRmax) with LBPP than without (P: 176±10 vs 184±7b·min^-1; C: 174±8 vs 177±8b·min^-1), whereas maximal power output (Wmax) and oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max) remained unchanged. This suggests that LBPP provides P and C with central hemodynamic benefits. These benefits, however, did not result in improvements in Wmax or V̇O₂max, probably due to other limitations in the complex and closely linked oxygen uptake process. During submaximal exercise the circulatory benefits were more pronounced in P than in C, probably due to the decrease of the VBP by LBPP. The results of this study suggest that LBPP appears to offer both P and C groups a central hemodynamic benefit without improving maximal performance.

Key words

Spinal cord injury - lower body positive pressure - arm-cranking exercise - heart rate - blood pressure - oxygen uptake process