Acute physiological comparison of sub-maximal exercise on a novel adapted rowing machine and arm crank ergometry in people with a spinal cord injury

Bonita Sawatzky, Brandon Herrington, Kevin Choi, W Ben Mortenson, Jaimie Borisoff, Carolyn Sparrey, James J Laskin, Bonita Sawatzky, Brandon Herrington, Kevin Choi, W Ben Mortenson, Jaimie Borisoff, Carolyn Sparrey, James J Laskin

Abstract

Study design: Non-randomized crossover trial.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the oxygen uptake during exercise using the Adapted ROWing machine (AROW) compared to the more commonly used Arm Crank Ergometry (ACE) for people with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) with or without trunk stability.

Setting: Canada, Vancouver.

Methods: Participants were from a convenience sample of 14 adults with SCI/D (age 21-63 y) which include those with lumbar to low cervical impairments currently exercising at least once per week using cardiovascular exercise equipment at our Physical Activity Research Centre. The interventions were non-randomized steady-state exercise bouts at self-selected low and moderate workloads on the AROW and ACE for 5 min each. Our primary outcomes were the rate of oxygen consumption (mL/kg/min) and the Borg 0-10 Rating Scale of Perceived Exertion (RPE).

Results: A repeated measures two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) indicated that exercising on the AROW resulted significantly greater oxygen consumption and perceived exertion than ACE at similar sub-maximal workloads which may be explained by the differences in efficiency between the devices (Partial eta squared = 0.84, F stat = 48.25; Partial eta squared = 0.86, F stat = 53.54).

Conclusions: We have demonstrated that this form of upper extremity exercise had a greater RPE and VO2 on the ACE at a given workload. Thus, the AROW could provide a functional upper extremity workout that can be used for daily exercise for those with varying levels of SCI.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Spinal Cord Society.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Adapted Concept2 Rowing Ergometer (AROW) with optional trunk pad for trunk support.
Fig. 2. Testing session flow chart.
Fig. 2. Testing session flow chart.
*The order of the actual testing was alternated with the first participant being tested on the AROW during session 1 and the ACE during session 2 with the following participant being tested first on the ACE and then on the AROW during the second session.
Fig. 3. Effect of exercise modality and…
Fig. 3. Effect of exercise modality and exercise intensity on relative VO2 and RPE.
Dark circles represent arm crank ergometer. Gray boxes represent adapted rower. *p < 0.001 between modalities and intensities.

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