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METABOLIC EQUIVALENTS FOR OUTRIGGER CANOE PADDLING FOR ADULTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY: AN ACCESSMETS PROJECT

Abstract

It is well established that regular physical activity (PA) can reduce the risk for chronic disease, dementia, and all-cause mortality. This risk, however, tends to be much higher in some groups, such as people with disabilities (PWD) and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) who also consistently self-report lower levels of PA. The current study sought to investigate the efficacy of using outrigger canoe paddling (i.e., paddling) as a PA intervention tool because of the activity’s popularity in Hawai’i, it’s cultural relevance as a PA to NHPIs, and because paddling is practiced by those with spinal cord injuries (SCI). As such, the present study sought to determine the metabolic intensities (i.e., metabolic equivalents, or METs) that characterize on-water paddling for adults with SCI. The evaluation of METs for PA interventions targeting adults with SCI is an understudied topic. PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether measured MET values would exceed the 3.0 “moderate intensity” and/or 6.0 “vigorous intensity” MET PA thresholds, both of which are used to promote improved health outcomes and decreased risk for many chronic diseases. METHODS: Six adults with diagnosed SCI – 2 women (Mean±SD: 44±4 years age) and 4 men (53±2 years) – were recruited to paddle as part of a 6-person outrigger canoe (i.e., OC6) session on the ocean while having metabolic intensity measured using standard indirect calorimetry procedures. Sessions included a 5-minute semi-standardized paddling warm-up followed by paddling at steady-state intensities equivalent to “light”, “moderate”, and “hard” for 5-minutes each. RESULTS: Average MET values for light (4.3±1.2 METs; P=0.023), moderate (5.2±1.1 METs; P=0.003), and hard (6.0±0.9 METs; P<0.001) paddling intensities (82.5, 88.1, and 93.45% of age-predicted maximal heart rate, respectively) all exceeded the 3.0 MET PA threshold, while none of these intensities (P=0.53-0.99) exceeded the 6.0 “vigorous intensity” MET threshold. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of outrigger canoe paddling in adults with SCI as an intervention tool to promote lower risk for chronic disease and positive health and fitness outcomes.

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