Spinal cord injury, depending on its location, is known to affect cardiovascular responses as well as autonomic function. Several studies have reported these effects in humans. Additionally, the effects of exercise in spinal cord injury have been reported. The aim of this diploma thesis is to provide an overview of physiological basis of spinal cord injury and the associated effects at rest and during exercise depending on the level of injury (cervical, high-thoracic, low-thoracic and lumbar). Various cardiovascular complications are expected to occur depending on the time period following spinal cord injury. Following aspects are dealt with in some detail: neurogenic shock, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias and autonomic dysreflexia. Beyond that, the effects of anti-G suit application on cardiovascular responses in spinal cord injured individuals during exercise are discussed. A literature review providing current state of the art knowledge with regards to the effect of spinal cord injury, at varying levels, on the autonomic function and cardiovascular responses as well as how different types of exercise affect these responses was carried out.
| Date of Award | 2014 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | |
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| Supervisor | Nandu Goswami (Supervisor) |
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Autonomic functions and cardiovascular responses in individuals with spinal cord injury
Sumann, R. (Author). 2014
Student thesis: Diploma thesis