Energy expenditure during rest and treadmill gait training in quadriplegic subjects

Abstract

The analysis of oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and energy consumption in quadriplegics after 6 months of treadmill gait with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). To compare metabolic responses in quadriplegics after 6 months of treadmill training, with NMES (30-50% body weight relief), with quadriplegics who did not perform gait. Ambulatory of University Hospital, Brazil. Quadriplegics were separated into gait and control groups (CGs). On inclusion, all subjects performed VO(2) test. In the gait group (GG) (n=11), the protocol consisted of 8 min of rest, 10 min of treadmill walking using NMES and 10 min of recovery. In the CG (n=10), testing consisted of 8 min rest, 15 min of quadriceps endurance exercise in sitting position with NMES and 10 min recovery. VO(2), carbon dioxide production (VCO(2)) and energy consumption were measured. The GG performed 6 months of treadmill training, using NMES, for 20 min, twice a week. The CG did not practice any activity with NMES, performing conventional physiotherapy only; the CG was stimulated only during the cardiorespiratory test. All parameters increased significantly for the GG: 36% for VO(2) (l/min), 43% for VCO(2) (l/min) and 32.5% for energy consumption (J/kg/s). For the CG, during knee extension exercise, VO(2) increased without changes in the energy consumption (P<0.05); smaller values were obtained for all parameters when compared to those obtained during gait. Quadriplegic gait was efficient towards increasing VO(2) and energy consumption, which can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.