Continuous Recording of Cardiac and Respiratory Functions in Normal and Handicapped People

Abstract

Measurement procedures and preliminary data are described for continuous cardiac and respiratory function measures with both normal and handicapped individuals. These methods allow (1) extensive sampling of the phenomena, (2) maximum freedom of action by the subject, and (3) minimal stress to the subject due to the measuring instruments.

Cardiopulmonary responses during arm work on land and in a water environment of nonambulatory, spinal cord impaired individuals

“…This reaction to exercise was observed in both environments and is similar to the response observed in NH persons. This response, in the H subjects, to increased exercise stress has been reported by other authors (Brouha and Krobath, 1967;Carroll et at., 1979;Glaser et at., 1979;Knutsson et at., 1973;Voigt and Bahn, 1969). All the measured variables indicated that the H subjects were less efficient in their work capacity when compared to NH subjects.…”

The use of multistage exercise testing with wheelchair ergometry and arm cranking in subjects with spinal cord lesions

“…To enhance the specificity of testing, different wheelchair ergometers have been used to measure cardio-respiratory adaptation and the mechanical efficiency of wheelchair exercise. To achieve satisfactory measurements, the wheelchair ergo meter requires a stationary location of the wheelchair during propulsion, which can be achieved by placing the wheelchair on rollers (Brouha & Krobath, 1967;Brauer, 1972), on a treadmill (Voigt & Bahn, 1969;Hildebrandt et at., 1970) or by mechanically linking the driving wheels to a high inertia flywheel (Brattgard et at., 1970). As these studies with wheelchair ergometry have been with submaximum work levels only, it has not been established whether maximum cardio-respiratory performance during wheelchair propulsion is similar to that achieved by arm cranking.…”

Wheelchair exercise: a review

“…(1) platforms with bearings upon which a wheelchair was mounted (Brouha & Krobath, 1967;Brauer, 1972; (2) treadmills upon which a wheelchair was mounted (Hildebrandt et al, 1970); (3) stationary wheelchairs that were linked to bicycle ergometer flywheels (Brattgard et al, 1970); and (4) stationary wheelchair assembly with external flywheel compensation for body weight (Dreisinger, 1980).…”

“…The first investigators to attack the problem of stationary wheelchair ergo metric work were Brouha and Krobath (1967). They built a special platform with two pairs of rollers (mounted on precision bearings to eliminate friction), assembled in a manner that allowed chair wheels to rest easily on them.…”

“…Many different methods for performing work have been devised; however, those most frequently used in physiological studies have involved bicycles, arm pedals (cranks), steps and tread mills. Several ergometric devices have been developed, and studies have examined the metabolic effects of propelling a wheelchair (Brouha & Krobath, 1967;Voigt & Bahn, 1969;Brattgard et al, 1970).…”