Abstract:
ABSTRACT
SPINA BIFIDA, OBESITY, AND HEALTH: A CASE STUDY
by
Kerri A. McMurtry
Master of Arts in Kinesiology
California State University, Chico
Spring 2010
This investigation described the physiological characteristics of two trained subjects with spina bifida\(TSB). The subjects were of normal weight and met the ACSM guidelines for participating in physical exercise. The data were compared with existing data untrained subjects with spina bifida (UTSB).
Peak power output (POpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) were assessed using arm ergometry. Body composition was assessed using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Glucose tolerance was determined using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after an overnight fast.
VO2peak was 33% greater in male TSB compared to UTSB and female TSB VO2peak was 43% higher compared to UTSB. POpeak was 70 watts in the male TSB compared to 62 watts in the UTSB, a difference of 12%. Female TSB POpeak was 19% greater than UTSB (60 vs. 48.9 watts). Body fat percentage was 26.6% and 36% in male TSB and UTSB, respectively. Body fat percentage was 29 and 46% in female TSB and
x
UTSB. Fasting blood glucose in TSB was 89.5 mg/dl which is comparable to UTSB. After consuming a 75 gram glucose load, blood glucose was 127, 124, 111, and 62 mg/dl at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min in TSB.
The results of the present study must be interpreted with caution it was a case study of two individuals. However, we can infer from these data that people who are physically active and within a normal weight respond positively to exercising as indicated by the higher VO2peak and maximum power output and more robust body composition (i.e., lower percent fat and high fat-free weight. This study supported the role of physical activity in promoting health in people with spina bifida.
