Christopher R West1, Ian G Campbell1, Victoria L Goosey-Tolfrey2, Barry S Mason2, Lee M Romer3. 1. Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, UK. 2. School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, Loughborough University, UK. 3. Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, UK. Electronic address: lee.romer@brunel.ac.uk.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Abdominal binding has been shown to improve resting cardiorespiratory function in individuals with cervical SCI, but it is not yet clear whether this approach improves the exercise response. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of abdominal binding on parameters relating to wheelchair sports performance in highly-trained athletes with cervical SCI. DESIGN: Repeated-measures field-based study. METHODS: Ten Paralympic wheelchair rugby players with motor-complete SCI (C5-C7) completed a series of exercise tests in two conditions (bound and unbound). The following parameters were assessed: agility and acceleration/deceleration performance; cardiorespiratory function and gross efficiency during submaximal wheelchair propulsion; anaerobic performance and propulsion kinematics during a 30s Wingate test; repeated sprint performance during a 10×20m test; and aerobic performance during a repeated 4min push test. RESULTS: Compared to unbound, 6 of 17 field-based performance measures changed significantly with binding. Time to complete the acceleration/deceleration test decreased (p=0.005), whereas distances covered during the repeated 4min push test increased (p<0.043). Binding elicited significant reductions in minute ventilation during submaximal wheelchair propulsion (p=0.040) as well as blood lactate accumulation and limb discomfort during the second set of the repeated 4min push test (p=0.012 and 0.022). There were no statistically significant effects of binding on any other variable. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal binding improves some important measures of field-based performance in highly-trained athletes with cervical SCI. The changes may be attributable, at least in part, to improvements in trunk stability, ventilatory efficiency and/or haemodynamics.
UNLABELLED: Abdominal binding has been shown to improve resting cardiorespiratory function in individuals with cervical SCI, but it is not yet clear whether this approach improves the exercise response. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of abdominal binding on parameters relating to wheelchair sports performance in highly-trained athletes with cervical SCI. DESIGN: Repeated-measures field-based study. METHODS: Ten Paralympic wheelchair rugby players with motor-complete SCI (C5-C7) completed a series of exercise tests in two conditions (bound and unbound). The following parameters were assessed: agility and acceleration/deceleration performance; cardiorespiratory function and gross efficiency during submaximal wheelchair propulsion; anaerobic performance and propulsion kinematics during a 30s Wingate test; repeated sprint performance during a 10×20m test; and aerobic performance during a repeated 4min push test. RESULTS: Compared to unbound, 6 of 17 field-based performance measures changed significantly with binding. Time to complete the acceleration/deceleration test decreased (p=0.005), whereas distances covered during the repeated 4min push test increased (p<0.043). Binding elicited significant reductions in minute ventilation during submaximal wheelchair propulsion (p=0.040) as well as blood lactate accumulation and limb discomfort during the second set of the repeated 4min push test (p=0.012 and 0.022). There were no statistically significant effects of binding on any other variable. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal binding improves some important measures of field-based performance in highly-trained athletes with cervical SCI. The changes may be attributable, at least in part, to improvements in trunk stability, ventilatory efficiency and/or haemodynamics.
Authors: Sara J Abdallah; David S Chan; Robin Glicksman; Cassandra T Mendonca; Yuanming Luo; Jean Bourbeau; Benjamin M Smith; Dennis Jensen Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2017-05-31 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: Cameron M Gee; Melissa A Lacroix; Trent Stellingwerff; Erica H Gavel; Heather M Logan-Sprenger; Christopher R West Journal: Front Rehabil Sci Date: 2021-11-16