Exercise effect with the wheelchair aerobic fitness trainer on conditioning and metabolic function in disabled persons: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of exercise with the wheelchair aerobic fitness trainer (WAFT) on anthropometric indices, conditioning, and endocrine and metabolic parameters in persons with lower extremity disability. DESIGN Exercise sessions with the WAFT lasted 20 to 30 minutes for two to three sessions. SETTING Tertiary-care Veterans Administration medical center. PARTICIPANTS Twelve subjects (3 with quadriplegia, 7 with paraplegia, 1 with cerebrovascular accident, 1 with bilateral above-knee amputation). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anthropometric indices (heart rate, blood pressure, weight, oxygen utilization, body mass index, upper arm and abdominal circumference, arm power) and endocrine and metabolic parameters (fasting serum glucose, lipids, and thyroid function) were determined before and after 10 weeks of exercise with the WAFT. RESULTS All patients noted improved feelings of well-being after training. Mean resting heart rate, upper arm fat area, and fasting serum cholesterol level decreased significantly. Peak oxygen consumption, midarm circumference, and free thyroxine index increased significantly with training. CONCLUSIONS WAFT improves quality of life, conditioning, and endocrine-metabolic parameters in disabled persons.

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