Performance Developement of Patients With Paraplegia During First Rehabilitation

Effects of an Individually Tailored Endurance Training on the Performance Developement of Patients With Paraplegia During First Rehabilitation: an Observational Study

A high physical fitness is crucial for a good quality of life in persons suffering from a spinal cord injury. The aim of the present observational study is to investigate the influence of an individually tailored 8-week endurance training program on endurance performance of patients with a paraplegia during their first rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent
• male or female, paraplegia (AIS A-C, lesion Level Th1-Th12)
• Age 18-65 years
• Manual wheelchair user
• Patient during first rehabilitation

Exclusion Criteria:

• BMI ≥ 30
• unable to use an arm-crank Ergometer due to e.g. spasticity
• physical impairment, which makes it impossible to perform an arm-crank ergometry
• Progressive disease (g.g. tumor, MS)
• Ventilator dependent
• existing cardiopulmonary disease
• Unstable medical situation