Effects of Strength Training on Physical Capacities of the Disabled with Cervical Spine Injuries

• Authors: Rafał Tabęcki , Andrzej Kosmol , Andrzej Mastalerz
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Purpose. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of strength training on the physical capacities of disabled persons with cervical spine injuries. Basic procedures. The study sample consisted of four disabled subjects with C4-C6 cervical spine injury, who were active Paralympic athletes (one swimmer and three wheelchair rugby players) from the Foundation of Active Rehabilitation. The study was carried out over a period of 15 months. The Biodex System 3 Pro isokinetic dynamometer and an arm cycloergometer were used for measurements. The measurements of muscle torques at the shoulder joint were carried out at 8-week intervals using the Biodex dynamometer. Main findings. The test results revealed a correlation between the body's physical endurance and strength capacities of subjects with cervical spine injuries. The "Upperton" strength training equipment modified for tetraplegics allowed maximal loading of the disabled athletes' shoulder girdle. Conclusions. Strength training improves the maximal force of arms in tetraplegics and positively affects their physical endurance. Tetraplegics can take advantage of strength training only by using hand-fixed weights, due to the limited function of arm flexors, including the greatly reduced hand gripping function. Strength training is an indispensable element of rehabilitation of tetraplegics.

Keywords

EN

strength training; tetraplegia; spinal cord; muscle strength

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Human Movement
• Year: 2009
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 126-129

Dates

published

1 - 12 - 2009

online

14 - 12 - 2009

Contributors

author

Rafał Tabęcki

• The Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

author

Andrzej Kosmol

• The Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

author

Andrzej Mastalerz

• The Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

References

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• Dallmeijer A.J., Hopman M.T.E., Van As H.H.J., Van der Woude L.H.V., Physical capacity and physical strain in persons with tetraplegia: the role of sport activity. Spinal Cord, 1996, 34, 729-735.
• Janssen T.W.J., Van Oers C.A.J.M., Van der Woude L.H.V., Hollander A.P., Physical strain in daily life of wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 1994, 26 (6), 661-670.[Crossref]
• Morgulec N., Kosmol A., Physical activity in rehabilitation of people with cervical spine injuries [in Polish]. AWF, Warszawa 2008.
• Stefaniak T., Atlas of general strength exercises [in Polish]. BK, Wrocław 1995.
• Orzech J., The basics of muscle strength training [in Polish]. Sport i Rehabilitacja, Tarnów 1997.
• Sozański H., Śledziewski D. (eds.), Training loads - records and data processing [in Polish]. RCMSzKFiS, Warszawa 1995.

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10038-009-0020-4