抄録
Sports activities in individuals with disabilities were initially part of the rehabilitation programs, however, at present, these activities include actual sports competitions. Thus, there is a need for investigating exercise physiology and sports science in subjects with spinal cord injuries (SCI). We have been investigating these issues in athletes with SCI who participated in the Oita International Wheelchair Marathon Race (OIWMR) for more than 20 years. We measured muscle strength and volume capacity over 10 years in 100 straight participants in OIWMR. Our results showed that muscle strength remained constant although the volume capacity decreased significantly in these subjects. To identify the factors involved in improvement of the race time in OIWMR, our physiological and kinesiological studies showed that the race time was independent of maximum oxygen uptake and muscle strength and depended on skillful wheelchair propulsion. We also studied changes in heart rate, arm movements, renal function, natural killer cell activities, and muscle enzymes in the same athletes. We also studied sympathetic nerve activities, and endocrine and cardiovascular responses in persons with disabilities during exercise and other stresses in laboratory setting. Our results indicated that physical disabilities do not pose great medical impediment to exercise and sports activities although it is advisable to eliminate any stress stimuli to the paralyzed parts of individuals with SCI. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S32 (2004)]
