Effect of a pulsating anti-gravity suit on peak exercise performance in individual with spinal cord injuries

The aim of this study was to examine effects of a pulsating pressure anti-g ravity suit on the peak values of oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2) and powe r during maximal arm exercise in spinal-cord-injured (SCI) individuals. Fiv e well-trained SCI men (with lesions at levels between T6 and L1) and seven well-trained able-bodied men (ABC) performed two incremental (10 W . min(- 1)) arm-cranking tests. During one test the pressure in the anti-G suit pul sated between 4.7 kPa (35 mmHg) and 9.3 kPa (70 mmHg) every 2 s (PPG+), dur ing the other test (PPG-) all the subjects wore the anti-G suit in a deflat ed state. Tests were performed in a counter-balanced order. Peak (V) over d ot O-2 in SCI was 1 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1) lower during PPG + compared to PP G- (P = 0.05). Peak power and peak heart rate were not significantly differ ent during PPG + compared to PPG-. These results would suggest that no incr ease in work capacity can be obtained with a pulsating pressure anti-gravit y suit in either SCI or ABC.