Jung (2014) Spinal Cord Injury and pulmonary function

Abstract. [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of aquatic exercise on pulmonary function of patients with spinal cord injury. [Subjects] The subjects were randomly allocated to an aqua group(n=10) and a land group (n=10).

[Methods] Both groups trained for 60 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function was assessed by measuring the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow rate (FER), force expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and force expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC).

[Results] Following the intervention, the aqua group showed significant changes in FVC, FER, FEV1, andFEV1/FVC. The land group showed only significant differences FER.

[Conclusion] The results of this study suggest the effects on the aqua group were significantly higher than those on the land group in patients with spinal cord injury.

Key words: Spinal cord injury, Aqua, Pulmonary function