EFFECT OF TRAINING ON PHYSICAL CAPACITY AND PHYSICAL STRAIN IN PERSONS WITH TETRAPLEGIA

The effects of quad rugby training on physical capacity and physical s train during standardized activities of daily living mere investigated in 9 trained (A) and 5 untrained quad rugby players (B), and 7 inacti ve persons with tetraplegia (C) at 0, 3 and 6 months after the start o f a quad rugby training program (1.5 h.wk(-1)). Physical capacity was measured as maximal isometric strength, peak power output (POpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak) on a stationary wheelchair ergometer, Physical strain was expressed as a percentage of heart-rate reserve, N o measurable training effects could be observed for POpeak, VO(2)peak and physical strain. A significant rise in maximal isometric strength was found in group B after 3 and 6 months of training, whereas no sign ificant changes were found in groups A and C, The results suggest that a higher training frequency and/or intensity may be needed to gain si gnificant training effects for POpeak and VO(2)peak.