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Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats
Published on: January 16, 2019
Exercise Impact on Cardiovascular Autonomic, Cerebrovascular, and Cognitive Dysfunction in Individuals With Spinal
Wenjie Ji1, Gino S Panza2, Jill M Wecht3
1Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.
Exercise, especially moderate-to-high intensity arm cycling, can improve autonomic nervous system (ANS) cardiovascular function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Further research is needed to confirm benefits for cerebrovascular and cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and cognitive issues.
- Limited research exists on exercise's impact on ANS function in persons with SCI (pwSCI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current evidence on exercise's effects on ANS-related cardiovascular (ANS-CV) function, cerebrovascular health, and cognitive performance in individuals with chronic SCI.
- To identify research gaps and suggest future directions for exercise interventions in SCI rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and synthesis of existing literature on exercise interventions for pwSCI.
- Analysis of exercise impacts on ANS-CV function, cerebrovascular health, and cognitive outcomes.
Main Results:
- Moderate-to-high intensity exercise, particularly arm cycling, shows promise in improving ANS-CV function in pwSCI.
- Long-term active exercise training may offer benefits to cerebrovascular and cognitive functions.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests moderate-to-high intensity exercise can benefit ANS-CV function in pwSCI.
- Future research needs standardized protocols and precise measures to confirm effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive functions and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
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