Gabriel Brizuela Costa

Lesión medular y ejercicio físico: revisión desde una perspectiva deportiva

One in 2,000 people in Europe has spinal cord injury (SCI). These persons are usually more sedentary than the rest of the population and encounters different problems to practice physical exercise (PE), in part because of the limited specific training of sports professionals. In order to provide specific information about SCI and its interaction with the practice of sports, a review of scientific literature was carried out. Different kinds of disorders as musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, thermoregulation, genitourinary and intestinal, pressure ulcers, autonomic dysreflexia and nutritional aspects were analyzed in order to make useful recommendations. In conclusion, the practice of PE reduces the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and improves physical fitness, personal autonomy, health, quality of life and life expectancy of people with SCI. However it is essential to be familiar with the persons particular characteristics in order to optimize their athletic performance and to prevent serious medical complications.