Interval training program on a wheelchair ergometer for paraplegic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Various combinations of training intensity, duration and frequency are often proposed to people with spinal cord injuries in order to improve their fitness. However, no consensus about a specific training program has been reached for such a population. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of a short interval training program specifically designed for patients with spinal cord injuries. METHODS: Paraplegic men performed 30-min wheelchair ergometry three times per week, for 4 weeks. Maximal dynamic performance and endurance capacity were studied before and after the training program with an incremental test (10 W/2 min) until volitional fatigue and a constant work rate test, respectively. Cardiorespiratory responses were continuously studied during each of these tests. RESULTS: Training induced significant improvement in maximal tolerated power (+27.9%), and in peak oxygen consumption ([VO2, +18.5%). After training the subjects were able to maintain the load applied during the constant test (total mechanical work +210.7%), for a significantly longer time. The heart rate, [VO2 and ventilation values observed when the volunteers ended their first constant load test were significantly higher (+10%, +10%, +40% respectively) than those obtained after a similar time period during the second constant load test which was performed after the training program. CONCLUSION: After this short training period, with an appropriate combination of different types of training, duration, intensity and frequency exercises, we observed a significant improvement in the fitness level and endurance capacity of paraplegic subjects.

The effect of various constituants of the corneous layer on measurements of its elasticity.

Summary A new instrument has been developed which enables simultaneous determinations of the static and dynamic moduli of elasticity of the stratum corneum to be made. A systematic study of these mechanical parameters for various samples of human SC demonstrates the advantages of the dynamic measurement of the modulus of elasticity in evaluating the effect of treatments. The effect of treatment of thioglycollic acid (TA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the stratum corneum was studied by means of this technique and electron microscopy. TA markedly reduces the elastic modulus. Electron microscopy shows that horny cell structure is fully disorganized. On the contrary, SA treatment increases the elastic modulus without any noticeable changes on corneocytes. This last study confirms the preferential effect of SA on the intercorneocyte spaces.