Thermoregulatory responses of spinal cord injured and able-bodied athletes to prolonged upper body exercise and recovery

STUDY DESIGN Single trial, two factor repeated measures design. SETTING England, Cheshire. OBJECTIVES To examine the thermoregulatory responses of able-bodied (AB) athletes, paraplegic (PA) athletes and a tetraplegic (TP) athlete at rest, during prolonged upper body exercise and recovery. METHODS Exercise was performed on a Monark cycle ergometer (Ergomedic 814E) adapted for arm exercise at 60% VO2 peak for 60 min in cool conditions ('normal' laboratory temperature; 21.5+/-1.7 degrees C and 47+/-7.8% relative humidity). Aural and skin temperatures were continually monitored. RESULTS Mean (+/-S.D.) peak oxygen uptake values were greater (P