ENDURANCE TRAINING EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS WITH POSTPOLIOMYELITIS

Objective: To determine the effects of an endurance training program o n the exercise capacity and muscle structure and function in individua ls with postpolio syndrome. Design: Preexercise and postexercise testi ng was performed with muscle strength evaluations using isokinetic tes ting as well as hand-held Myometer. Muscle fatigue was determined by u se of isokinetic testing, and endurance was determined by exercise tes ting. Enzymatic evaluation was performed with muscle biopsies taken at the same site; preexercise and postexercise muscle cross-sectional ar ea was measured by computed tomography, Disability and psychosocial ev aluation was performed by a Functional Status Questionnaire. Setting: A university. Subjects: Seventeen postpolio subjects ranging in age fr om 39 to 49 years volunteered for a B-month combined endurance and str ength training program. They had a history of acute poliomyelitis at l east 25 years earlier and were able to walk with or without aid. Inter vention: Twelve of the subjects (mean age 42 years) completed the prog ram, attending an average of 29 sessions, which were offered for 60 mi nutes twice a week. Main Outcome Measures: Strength, endurance, enzyma tic activity, and cross-sectional area were measured 3 months before t he beginning of training, just before training, and at the completion of the exercise program. Results: Knee extension was reduced to an ave rage of 60% of control values and did not change with training. Streng th measured with a hand-held Myometer increased significantly for elbo w flexion, wrist extension, and hip abduction. Exercise test on a bicy cle-ergometer showed significant reduction (6beats/min) in heart rate at 70W and increase (12beats/min) in maximal heart rate with training. The training program could be performed without major complications a nd resulted in an increase in muscle strength in some muscle groups an d in work performance with respect to heart rate al submaximal work lo ad. (C) 1996 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and t he American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation