Comparison of Heart Rate Response to Tennis Activity Between Persons With and Without Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to reach a training threshold during on-court sport activity. Monitors collected heart rate (HR) data every 5 s for 11 wheelchair tennis players (WCT) with low paraplegia and 11 able-bodied controls matched on experience and skill level (ABT). Average HR was determined for time spent in practice (e.g., drills) and game (i.e., a competitive set), and the ability to surpass 50% peak HR (HRpeak) and 64% HRpeak in each condition was evaluated. Average exercise intensity (%HRpeak) was not significantly different between the groups during practice (M WCT = 68.18, SD = 7.53%, M ABT = 68.78, SD = 5.44%; t = .22, p = .83) or game (M WCT = 68.17, SD = .17%, M ABT = 71.55, SD = 4.75%; t = 1.12, p = .28). All participants averaged an intensity ≥ 50% HR-peak during practice and game, and the difference between group participants averaging an intensity ≥ 64% HRpeak was not significant during practice (ξ2 = .92, p = .34) or game (ξ2 = 3.85, p = .05). In terms of reaching a health and fitness training threshold during tennis, individuals with low-level SCI are similar to matched controls.