A short-term arm-crank exercise program improved testosterone deficiency in adults with chronic spinal cord injury

Abstract

ARTICLE INFO ______________________________________________________________ ______________________Purpose: To determine the influence of arm-crank exercise in reproductive hormone levels in adults with chronic SCI. Further objectives were to assess the influence of arm-crank exercise on muscle strength and body composition. Materials and Methods: Seventeen male adults with complete SCI at or below the 5th thoracic level (T5) volunteered for this study. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 9) or control group (n = 8) using a concealed method. The participants in the intervention group performed a 12-week arm-crank exercise program, 3 sessions/week, consisting of warming-up (10-15 min) followed by a main part in arm--crank (20-30 min [increasing 2 min and 30 seconds each three weeks]) at a moderate work intensity of 50-65% of heart rate reserve (HRR) (starting at 50% and increasing 5% each three weeks) and by a cooling-down period (5-10 min). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and estradiol were determined by ELISA. Muscle strength (handgrip) and body composition (waist circumference [WC]) were assessed. Results: After the completion of the training program, testosterone level was significantly increased (p = 0.0166;d = 1.14). Furthermore, maximal handgrip and WC were significantly improved. Lastly, a significant inverse correlation was found between WC and testosterone (r =-0.35; p = 0.0377). Conclusion:The arm-crank exercise improved reproductive hormone profile by increasing testosterone levels in adults with chronic SCI. A secondary finding was that it also significantly improved muscle strength and body composition in this group.

Salivary alpha amylase not chromogranin A reflects sympathetic activity: exercise responses in elite male wheelchair athletes with or without cervical spinal cord injury

“…From a clinical perspective, the present study does not provide any evidence for testosterone deficiency in TETRA as previously reported [24]. However, previous research shows that exercise training increases resting testosterone levels in chronic SCI [37]; the highly trained nature of the investigated participant group is hence a likely explanation of this finding.…”

Evaluation of isometric strength in people with spinal cord injury: a review

“…The findings suggest that, in order to cause significant cardiovascular changes through isometric training, large muscle masses should be stimulated at the level of the trunk and other sites of the upper limbs of people with SCI. In a similar study, Rosety-Rodriguez et al (8) analyzed that the 12-week effect of an arm ergometer protocol on reproductive hormone levels (testosterone, estradiol, FSH) in SCI people also evaluated the influence of the protocol on the muscular strength and body composition of the participants. The maximum isometric force was measured by the handheld dynamometer, with a significant improvement in manual grip strength.…”

“…Hence the necessity to reinforce the role of physical exercise as a preventive strategy, which may reduce health costs and provide a longer life expectancy. (1,8) Components of health-related physical fitness (such as strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity) are commonly used to assess and control rehabilitation and fitness programs. One of these components, the isometric force (maximum and MTP&RehabJournal 2016, 14: 361 submaximal), is characterized by the ability of the muscle to develop active tension, without angular displacement of the joint, to produce force and/or movement.…”

Physical Exercise for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: Systematic Review Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

“…For example, for the authors who investigated the effects of aerobic exercise, the population was mostly composed of individuals with paraplegia, 21,22,24 and only one study involving aerobic training had a sample composed only of subjects with tetraplegia. 20 This preference for individuals with lower level injuries is probably due to the difficulties in developing aerobic exercise programs for individuals with tetraplegia.…”

“…The studies evaluating aerobic exercise presented a wide variety of FITT principles. 18 The most common type was a cycle ergometer for the upper limbs [22][23][24] and an ergometric bicycle assisted by functional stimulation. 23 The intensity was prescribed based on percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (60% VO 2 max) 22 and percentage of heart rate reserve (50%-80% HRR).…”