Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare a standardized submaximal intensity (based on the rate of perceived exertion [RPE]) with the percentage of the average and peak torque during a familiarization session in individuals with different spinal cord injury (SCI) levels in gravity-resisted and gravity-assisted movements. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study at a rehabilitation hospital. Thirty-six individuals stratified in tetraplegia (TP), high paraplegia (HP), and low paraplegia (LP) groups and 12 matched control participants (CG) were enrolled in the study. Participants performed a maximum strength test using isokinetic dynamometry. The familiarization consisted of 10 submaximal repetitions with a level 2 (i.e., 20% of the maximum score) in the Resistance Exercise Scale (OMNI-RES). Fisher's exact test compared the percentages of the average torque (%AT(Fam)) and peak torque (%PT(Fam)) of the familiarization (based on the peak torque during the maximum strength tests) to the %AT(Fam) and %PT(Fam) attained with 20% of RPE. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated to assess the torque dispersion during each familiarization set. RESULTS: The %AT(Fam) was lower for gravity-assisted compared to gravity-resisted movements for HP, LP, and CG (p ≤ .05). The CV was significantly lower in gravity-resisted movements during familiarization for TP, LP, and CG. CONCLUSION: Different RPE levels should be adopted for gravity-resisted or gravity-assisted upper limb exercises to maintain the same relative intensity during a familiarization session.