CHEST WALL KINEMATICS OF ATHLETES WITH TETRAPLEGIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the 3D dimensional kinematics of the chest wall to describe the respiratory movement of tetraplegic athletes. Wheelchair rugby players were filmed during respiratory maneuvers. Markers were affixed to the trunk of the volunteers. From the 3D coordinates of markers, four compartmental volumes of the trunk were calculated. We analyzed the coefficient of variation of volumes in different compartments of the trunk for each subject, and the results were compared among the compartments. It was possible to verify the contribution of each compartment during respiration. The lower abdomen compartment had the highest average coefficient of variation. The methodology was able to identify the volume variations of chest wall and can be efficient to evaluate the effects of sports on ventilatory mechanics of tetrapelgic.