No abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the thermoregulatory responses of trained paraplegics (TP) and able bodied subjects (AB) performing submaximal exercise of the same relative intensity in both hot and cool conditions. Five TP (lesion range T12 to L3) and five AB subjects experjenced in wheelchair use performed 60 minutes of constant load (55-60% of V02 max) arm ergometry exercise in 37°C and 15 °C climatic conditions. Heart rate (HR), sweat rate and rectal (Tr) and skin (fsk) temperatures were recorded. In the hot climate the TP subjects recorded a significantly greater change in fsk (�fsk) from 0 to 60 minutes of exercise than the AB subjects, because of greater thigh and calf temperatures, but no other significant differences were found between these groups. In the cool climate no significant differences were observed between the TP and AB groups. It was concluded that TP have a similar thermoregulatory ability to AB subjects who perform identical prolonged exercise in hot and cool conditions, although their lower limb skin temperatures are greater, probably because of venous pooling in the legs. While these results are a promising indication of the ability of TP to thermoregulate effectively while exercising in the, heat caution regarding their participation in endurance competitions in hot conditions should be expressed until data collected during wheelchair exercise (rather than arm ergometry) in the heat is available.

In a recent study of the kinematics of the drive phase of the rowing stroke, Lamb (1989) provided detailed evidence that ergometer performance simulates on-the-water performance closely. In the present experiment, Lamb's analysis was extended in an investigation of the timing of the complete cycle of the rowing action of 5 rowers under each of those performance conditions. The authors followed Beek's (1992) suggestion that the first task in the analysis of timing in skilled movement is to specify the sources of variance and invariance in each particular task by identifying the major temporal constraints and the key relative timing variables. In addition, the possibility that some simple mathematical relationship (e.g., Schmidt, 1985) might describe the relative timing between the stroke and recovery phases of the rowing action when performed at different speeds was investigated. Both an absolute and a relative variability criterion were used in assessing and comparing timing variability over 4 speeds of rowing and between on-water and ergometer rowing in 5 elite male subjects. Criteria outlined by Gentner (1987) were used in assessing relative timing between stroke and recovery. The results indicated that variability decreases dramatically as a function of increased rowing rate; however, when variability is expressed as a function of movement duration, those decreases appear much less dramatic. Overall variability of the rowing cycle was caused principally by variability in the recovery phase, whereas the stroke phase was relatively invariant under both rowing conditions. The changes in the relative timing of the rowing stroke across the 4 speeds studied followed a simple mathematical rule, best described as linear increments in the stroke proportion of the total rowing cycle with increases in rowing rate. Moreover, those changes were similar across the 2 rowing conditions. The present results are discussed in light of findings from other forms of propulsion, such as walking, running, and stair climbing, in which the movement constraints are quite different.

This paper presents the development and implementation of a psychological skills training program for blind athletes. The structure of the program was based on the personal accounts of successful athletes and the results of studies using sighted athletes. Skills designed to give insight to the body/mind relationship, raise or lower arousal levels, maintain motivation, prepare for competition, and improve problem-solving abilities were introduced to the athletes. Participants completed a self-assessment of psychological skills to determine the skill areas they had strengths in and therefore should take advantage of as well as those mental skill areas in which they could improve. A qualitative evaluation of the program is presented and recommendations for future programs are discussed. Overall, few changes were needed to accommodate for the athletes’ visual impairments.