JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE & MEDICINE
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Research article  

MEASURING OXYGEN COST DURING LEVEL WALKING IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY IN THE CLINICAL SETTING
Helen Dawes1, Johnathen Collett1, Roger Ramsbottom2, Ken Howells1, Cath Sackley3 and Derick Wade4

1Movement Science Group, School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes   University, UK.
2Exercise Science Group, School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes   University, UK.
3School of Health Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
4Oxford Centre for Enablement, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, UK.

Received 23 September 2004
Accepted 04 March 2004
Published 01 June 2004

© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2004) 3, 76-82
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ABSTRACT
This study examined the test-retest reliability of oxygen cost (ml·kg-1·min-1) during level walking in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Ten individuals with ABI (5 men, 5 women) (Traumatic brain injury, 1, central pontine myelinolysis, 1, stroke 8) and 21 healthy controls (11 men, 10 women). Measurements of gross and net (walking minus resting) oxygen consumption (ml·kg-1·min-1), and oxygen cost (ml·kg-1·min-1) during level walking at self-selected speeds. Measurements were taken on two occasions within one week. Oxygen cost was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in individuals with ABI on the second test versus the first test. Percentage variability in oxygen cost from test to re-test ranged from 14.7 to 17.3% in the control group and from 17.4 to 20.8% in the brain injury group. Clinical populations may demonstrate a significant decrease in oxygen cost between testing occasions. Individuals require at least one period of familiarisation if oxygen cost is used as an outcome measure during level walking in clinical groups. The amount of familiarisation has yet to be investigated in individuals with ABI.

KEY WORDS: Oxygen consumption brain injury, test re-test, level walking.
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