Arm crank ergometry in chronic spinal cord injured patients.

Cardiovascular response to arm crank ergometry, using a specially adapted Monark bicycle ergometer, was examined in 98 men with long-standing spinal cord injuries (SCI), who were classified into groups by neurologic level of SCI. Exercise response was significantly correlated with lesion levels: the higher the lesion, the lower the levels of physical work capacity and mean exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also, physical symptoms and abnormal systolic blood pressure exercise response were more frequent. Exercise response of patients with lower thoracic and lumbar SCI did not differ from the control group. The undisputed value of ergometry in the routine evaluation and exercise prescription for health maintenance in SCI and other wheelchair-disabled patients was substantiated by the study findings.