Circulatory strain in everyday life of paraplegics.

Circulatory strain encountered in everyday life was low, taxing 15-24% of HRR. Similar results (Th8-Th12) was estimated from their heart rates (fH) recorded continuously by portable tape recorders for up to 48 h. The degree of strain was expressed in per cent of the individual's heart rate reserve (HRR), i.e. of the span between resting and maximal fH. The average strain of everyday life was low, taxing 15-24% of HRR. Similar results were obtained in a rehabilitated patient (subj. 5, Th12) at the hospital. fH higher than 50% of HRR which could be expected to have a training effect on the circulatory system was recoreded only when ambulating with crutches, driving wheelchair uphill, playing basketball, or during specific training (arm cranking in subj. 6 (Th2) who attended a post-rehabilitation course). The results confirm that daily life activities with no additional training are not intense enough to maintain the circulatory and physical fitness of rehabilitated paraplegics.