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Body composition and resting energy expenditure in long term spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord volume 28, pages 448–454 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

Body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were measured in 4 spinal cord injured (SCI) paraplegic men. The level of lesion ranged from T4 to LI, and the duration of disability averaged 7.4 ± 3.3 (SEM) years. Hydrodensitometry was used to determine percent body fat, fat mass and lean body mass (LBM). RMR was measured following a 12-hour fast and 24 hours post-exercise using a ventilated hood. RMR was also predicted from LBM values based on the equation of Cunningham (1980). Results of the body composition measurements indicated a greater than average amount of body fat for men of this age group. RMR and LBM were significantly correlated (r = 0.98, p < 0.02). However, measured RMR values were lower than predicted in 3 of the 4 subjects, especially when LBM was relatively low. Further investigation into the relationship between LBM and RMR in SCI individuals is warranted using a larger sample size and with subjects representing a wide range of lesion level.

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Affiliations

  1. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA

    S J Laventure

  2. Purdue University, Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Lambert Building, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

    D A Sedlock

Authors
  1. D A Sedlock
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  2. S J Laventure
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Sedlock, D., Laventure, S. Body composition and resting energy expenditure in long term spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 28, 448–454 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1990.60

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1990.60

Keywords

  • Spinal cord injury
  • Paraplegia
  • Resting metabolic rate
  • Body composition

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