Arm exercise training for wheelchair users.

Although individuals with lower-limb paralysis typically use their arms for wheelchair locomotion and exercise training, several factors including the relatively small muscle mass available, as well as deficient cardiovascular reflex responses and inactivity of the venous muscle pump (resulting in hypokinetic circulation), can cause the early onset of fatigue during arm activity. Thus, cardiopulmonary (aerobic) fitness is difficult to develop and maintain; this situation can often be exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this paper is to present research related to exercise capability of wheelchair users, arm exercise modes, physical fitness training programs using arm exercise, and newly developed exercise techniques which incorporate combinations of voluntary arm exercise and functional neuromuscular stimulation-induced exercise of paralyzed leg muscles. It is evident that exercise training programs utilizing appropriate techniques can markedly improve the physical fitness, functional independence, and rehabilitation outcome of wheelchair users.