Aquatic, deep water peak VO₂ testing for individuals with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Objective: To determine the reliability of peak VO₂ testing for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in deep water and on land; and to examine the relationship between these two testing conditions.

Design: Reliability study.

Setting: Comprehensive rehabilitation center in Baltimore, MD, USA.

Participants: 17 participants (13 men, 4 women) with motor complete and incomplete SCI. Participants were randomized into either aquatic or arm cycle ergometer first measurements.

Intervention: Pilot study to assess peak VO₂.

Outcome measures: Peak VO₂ measured with metabolic cart in supported deep water with the addition of Aquatrainer® connection, and on land with arm cycle ergometer. Two trials were conducted for each condition with 48 h separating each test.

Results: Peak oxygen consumption reliability was statistically significant for both conditions, aquatic (r = 0.93, P < 0.001) and arm cycle ergometry (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). Additionally, aquatic and arm cycle peak VO₂ correlation existed (r = 0.72, P < 0.001). For these 17 participants, lower extremity motor score influenced supported, deep water peak VO₂, B = 0.57, P < 0.02, whereas age, sex, and weight did not impact deep water or ergometer values.

Conclusion: Determining peak VO₂ for individuals with SCI is highly reproducible for arm cycle ergometry and in deep water assessment. Additionally, aquatic, deep water peak VO₂ testing is valid when compared to arm cycle ergometry. Although the peak VO₂ relationship between deep water and arm cycle ergometry is high, variance in the two conditions does exist. Therefore, it is important to assess peak VO₂ via the same exercise modality utilized in the treatment intervention.

Keywords:

• Reliability
• Validity
• SCI
• Exercise test
• Aquatic test

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the time and effort of all patients who eagerly participated in this study. We thank the facilities engineer who constructed our modified Aquatrainer testing system.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Funding The Kernan Endowment Fund purchased the Aquatrainer and covered testing structural modification cost. Kosciuszko Foundation funded the scholarship for one of the researchers.

Conflicts of interest Authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

ORCID

Anna Ogonowska-Slodownik http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3318-6513