Exercise therapy after spinal cord injury: the effects on heath and function

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to immobility, increasing risks for pressure ulcers, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
• Individuals with SCI are among the least active populations, despite a high demand for physical activity programs.
• Limited access to tailored exercise programs hinders health management for those with SCI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in exercise interventions for individuals with SCI.
• To assess the potential of various exercise modalities to counteract SCI-related health complications.
• To highlight the need for further research on the long-term impact of exercise on disease and mortality in SCI.

Main Methods:

• Review of emerging exercise training strategies for spinal cord injury.
• Analysis of studies investigating the physiological benefits of accessible exercise for SCI.
• Exploration of functional electrical stimulation and body weight-supported treadmill training.

Main Results:

• Accessible resistance and aerobic exercise training demonstrate potential for reversing physiological consequences of SCI.
• Functional electrical stimulation and body weight-supported treadmill training show promise in improving health outcomes.
• Current interventions offer hope for mitigating secondary health conditions in SCI.

Conclusions:

• Various exercise modalities show promise in addressing secondary health complications associated with spinal cord injury.
• Increased availability of tailored physical activity programs is crucial for the SCI population.
• Further investigation is required to establish the long-term efficacy of exercise in reducing disease and mortality in SCI individuals.