F-3-09-03
Natural killer cell (NKC) activity during wheelchair marathon race in persons with spinal cord injuries
Kazunari Furusawa, H. Ogata, M. Ueta, Y. Umezu, T. Mizushima and F. Tajima. (University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan)
NKC activity was studied in 32 male wheelchair athletes who participated in the 15th Oita International Wheelchair Marathon Race. All of the subjects had spinal cord injuries between Th3 and L1 and completed the wheelchair marathon race. Their blood samples were withdrawn immediately after the finish of their run (immediately after) and another blood samples were taken in 13 of the subjects the next morning (recovery). The NKC activity of their blood was measured using MT2 target cells in Cr51 release assay. Triplicates of 100μl of their mononuclear cells (8X10^5 cells/ml) and 100μl of the target cells (1X10^4 cell/ml) were incubated in microtiter plates for 4.5h at 37 degree C. Spontaneous release was determined by incubation of 100μl of the target cells with 100μl of medium, and the maximum release was determined by incubation of 100μl of target cells plus 100μl of medium with 10% triton. The percentage Cr51 release (NKC activity) was determined by %lysis = (test-spontaneous) cpm/(maximum-spontaneous)cpm X 100%, (where cpm is counts per minute) and was given as mean of triplicates. NKC activity decreased (P<0.05) from 22±2 to 19±2% (mean±SD) immediately after the race and recovered to 21+1% the next morning. The findings of this study suggested that the wheelchair marathon race suppressed NKC activity, however the duration of suppression of NKC activity was transient. Therefore, it is highly recommended that wheelchair racers avoid infection within one day of the race.
F-3-09-04
PROSTHETICS AND SPORTS : NEW HORIZONS
Dr. Fradip D, Poonekar (Artificial Limb Centre, Pune, India)
Considering the various driving forces in the last decade one can confidently say that the impact in the phenomenal improvement of quality of prostheses and amputee rehabilitation is not from impact of warfare anymore but increasing demands for sports and recreational activities.
Sports and prosthetics have interacted via the elements of advancing material sciences and modern techniques to provide a wide range of devices for sports activities for leisure and pleasure to competitive (national and international) events. No media is not negotiable; all sorts of sports are feasible whether its on land, water, snow or even in air - almost at par with the able-bodied.
Today even those prostheses used for "basic requirements" have seen a change taking not only "routine activities" but also leisure and recreational activities to new horizons unimaginable yesterday.
