Autonomic Nervous System in Paralympic Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury

Matthias Walter; Andrei V Krassioukov

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2018.01.001

Autonomic Nervous System in Paralympic Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2018 May;29(2):245-266. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.01.001. Epub 2018 Feb 17.

Authors

Matthias Walter¹, Andrei V Krassioukov²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
² Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, University of British Columbia, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada. Electronic address: krassioukov@icord.org.

PMID: 29627087
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.01.001

Abstract

Individuals sustaining a spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently suffer from sensorimotor and autonomic impairment. Damage to the autonomic nervous system results in cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions, as well as temperature dysregulation. These complications not only impede quality of life, but also affect athletic performance of individuals with SCI. This article summarizes existing evidence on how damage to the spinal cord affects the autonomic nervous system and impacts the performance in athletes with SCI. Also discussed are frequently used performance-enhancing strategies, with a special focus on their legal aspect and implication on the athletes' health.

Keywords: Autonomic dysfunction; Autonomic nervous system; Boosting; Paralympic athletes; Spinal cord injury.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Athletes*
Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology*
Disabled Persons*
Humans
Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology*