Longitudinal Changes in Physical Capacity Over 20 Years in Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury

Objective: To investigate the longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Longitudinal study (20-y follow-up). Setting: Laboratory setting. Participants: Persons with SCI (N=7). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Maximum oxygen consumption (V) over dotO(2)max) measured in 1986-1988 and in 2006. Results: Subjects with SCI maintained stable (V) over dotO(2)max in 2006. Six of the 7 continued various wheelchair sports activities, while 1 person quit sports activities 1 year after the baseline study. The latter person showed reduced (V) over dotO(2)max by 53%, while 2 persons who continued strenuous wheelchair sports activities showed increased (V) over dotO(2)max by 43% and 45% after 20 years. Conclusion: The results indicated that physical capacity reflected the level of sports activity in subjects with SCI who maintained sports activities.