EFFECT OF AN ABDOMINAL BINDER DURING WHEELCHAIR EXERCISE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of an abdominal binder would affect oxygen uptake, trunk range of motion, and duratio n of the stroke phase during wheelchair propulsion. The subjects were six paraplegic wheelchair athletes with T1-T6 injuries and no abdomina l muscle function. Each subject performed two trials, one while wearin g the binder and one without the binder. Each trial consisted of subma ximal and maximal exercise tests conducted on wheelchair rollers. Oxyg en uptake was determined by open circuit spirometry while heart rate w as determined by telemetry. Max VO2 values averaged 2.51 1 . min(-1) w hile average maximum heart rate values were 190 b . min(-1). A 3-D vid eo-based motion analysis system was used to obtain kinematic parameter s of wheelchair propulsion. In general, 30% of the cycle time was comp rised of the stroke phase, while 70% was comprised of the recovery pha se across speeds. There were no statistically significant effects of t he abdominal binder on any of the cardiovascular or kinematic variable s at submaximal or maximal levels of exercise. Under the conditions of this laboratory investigation, it appears that an abdominal binder do es not alter physiological or selected biomechanical measures in highl y trained athletes.