Long-term exercise training in persons with spinal cord injury: effects on strength, arm ergometry performance and psychological well-being

Top Cited Papers
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Study design: Randomized controlled trial of exercise training in persons with spinal cord injury. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 9 months of twice-weekly exercise training on strength, arm ergometry performance, and indices of psychological well-being and quality of life. Setting: Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Methods: Thirty-four men and women (aged 19–65 years) with traumatic spinal cord injury (C4–L1; ASIA A–D) of 1–24 years duration volunteered to participate, and were randomized into exercise (EX; n=21) and control (CON; n=13) groups. Twenty-three subjects (11 EX; 12 CON) successfully completed the 9-month study. Subjects were assessed for one repetition maximum (1RM) strength, arm ergometry performance, and several indices of quality of life and psychological well-being at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups in age, submaximal arm ergometry performance, muscle strength, or psychological well-being. Following training, the EX group had significant increases in submaximal arm ergometry power output (81%; PPP<0.05). Exercise adherence (per cent of prescribed sessions attended) in those subjects who completed the 9 months of training was 82.5%. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that long-term twice-weekly exercise training in this population is feasible, and results in significant gains in both physical and psychological well-being.