Skip to main content
Advertisement
  • Neurology.org
  • Journals
    • Neurology
    • Clinical Practice
    • Genetics
    • Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • Specialty Sites
    • COVID-19
    • Practice Current
    • Practice Buzz
    • Without Borders
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Innovations in Care Delivery
  • Collections
    • Topics A-Z
    • Residents & Fellows
    • Infographics
    • Patient Pages
    • Null Hypothesis
    • Translations
  • Podcast
  • CME
  • About
    • About the Journals
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Board
  • Authors
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Author Center

Advanced Search

Main menu

  • Neurology.org
  • Journals
    • Neurology
    • Clinical Practice
    • Genetics
    • Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • Specialty Sites
    • COVID-19
    • Practice Current
    • Practice Buzz
    • Without Borders
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Innovations in Care Delivery
  • Collections
    • Topics A-Z
    • Residents & Fellows
    • Infographics
    • Patient Pages
    • Null Hypothesis
    • Translations
  • Podcast
  • CME
  • About
    • About the Journals
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Board
  • Authors
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Author Center
  • Home
  • Latest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Residents & Fellows

User menu

  • Subscribe
  • My Alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Neurology
Home
The most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal
  • Subscribe
  • My Alerts
  • Log in
Site Logo
  • Home
  • Latest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Residents & Fellows

Share

August 15, 2017; 89 (7) Views & Reviews

Effects of exercise on fitness and health of adults with spinal cord injury

A systematic review

Jan W. van der Scheer, Kathleen A. Martin Ginis, David S. Ditor, Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey, Audrey L. Hicks, Christopher R. West, Dalton L. Wolfe
First published July 21, 2017, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000004224
Jan W. van der Scheer
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Kathleen A. Martin Ginis
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
David S. Ditor
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Audrey L. Hicks
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Christopher R. West
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Dalton L. Wolfe
From the School for Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (J.W.v.d.S., V.L.G.-T.), Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK; School of Health and Exercise Sciences (K.A.M.G.), University of British Columbia, Kelowna; ICORD (K.A.M.G., C.R.W.) and School of Kinesiology (C.R.W.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Department of Kinesiology (D.S.D.), Brock University, St. Catharines; Department of Kinesiology (A.L.H.), McMaster University, Hamilton; and Parkwood Institute (D.L.W.), Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Full PDF
Citation
Effects of exercise on fitness and health of adults with spinal cord injury
A systematic review
Jan W. van der Scheer, Kathleen A. Martin Ginis, David S. Ditor, Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey, Audrey L. Hicks, Christopher R. West, Dalton L. Wolfe
Neurology Aug 2017, 89 (7) 736-745; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004224

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Permissions

Make Comment

See Comments

Downloads
465

Share

  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Disclosures
Loading

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize and appraise research testing the effects of exercise interventions on fitness, cardiometabolic health, and bone health among adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Electronic databases were searched (1980–2016). Included studies employed exercise interventions for a period ≥2 weeks, involved adults with acute or chronic SCI, and measured fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, power output, or muscle strength), cardiometabolic health (body composition or cardiovascular risk factors), or bone health outcomes. Evidence was synthesized and appraised using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results: A total of 211 studies met the inclusion criteria (22 acute, 189 chronic). For chronic SCI, GRADE confidence ratings were moderate to high for evidence showing exercise can improve all of the reviewed outcomes except bone health. For acute SCI, GRADE ratings were very low for all outcomes. For chronic SCI, there was low to moderate confidence in the evidence showing that 2–3 sessions/week of upper body aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous intensity for 20–40 minutes, plus upper body strength exercise (3 sets of 10 repetitions at 50%–80% 1-repetition maximum for all large muscle groups), can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, power output, and muscle strength. For chronic SCI, there was low to moderate confidence in the evidence showing that 3–5 sessions per week of upper body aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous intensity for 20–44 minutes can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, and cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions: Exercise improves fitness and cardiometabolic health of adults with chronic SCI. The evidence on effective exercise types, frequencies, intensities, and durations should be used to formulate exercise guidelines for adults with SCI.

GLOSSARY

AIS=
American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale;
FES=
functional electrical stimulation;
GRADE=
Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation;
PEDro=
Physiotherapy Evidence Database;
RCT=
randomized controlled trial;
SCI=
spinal cord injury;
SCIRE=
Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence

Footnotes

  • Go to Neurology.org for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.

  • Supplemental data at Neurology.org

  • Received January 30, 2017.
  • Accepted in final form May 15, 2017.
  • © 2017 American Academy of Neurology
View Full Text

AAN Members

We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.

Google Safari Microsoft Edge Firefox

Click here to login

AAN Non-Member Subscribers

Click here to login

Purchase access

For assistance, please contact:
AAN Members (800) 879-1960 or (612) 928-6000 (International)
Non-AAN Member subscribers (800) 638-3030 or (301) 223-2300 option 3, select 1 (international)

Sign Up
Information on how to subscribe to Neurology and Neurology: Clinical Practice can be found here 

Purchase
Individual access to articles is available through the Add to Cart option on the article page.  Access for 1 day (from the computer you are currently using) is US$ 39.00.  Pay-per-view content is for the use of the payee only, and content may not be further distributed by print or electronic means.  The payee may view, download, and/or print the article for his/her personal, scholarly, research, and educational use.  Distributing copies (electronic or otherwise) of the article is not allowed.

Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence

No comments have been published for this article.
Comment

NOTE: All authors' disclosures must be entered and current in our database before comments can be posted. Enter and update disclosures at http://submit.neurology.org. Exception: replies to comments concerning an article you originally authored do not require updated disclosures.

  • Stay timely. Submit only on articles published within the last 8 weeks.
  • Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
  • 200 words maximum.
  • 5 references maximum. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
  • 5 authors maximum. Exception: replies can include all original authors of the article.
  • Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.

More guidelines and information on Disputes & Debates

Compose Comment

More information about text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Author Information
NOTE: The first author must also be the corresponding author of the comment.
First or given name, e.g. 'Peter'.
Your last, or family, name, e.g. 'MacMoody'.
Your email address, e.g. higgs-boson@gmail.com
Your role and/or occupation, e.g. 'Orthopedic Surgeon'.
Your organization or institution (if applicable), e.g. 'Royal Free Hospital'.
Publishing Agreement
NOTE: All authors, besides the first/corresponding author, must complete a separate Disputes & Debates Submission Form and provide via email to the editorial office before comments can be posted.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Vertical Tabs

You May Also be Interested in

Back to top
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • GLOSSARY
    • METHODS
    • RESULTS
    • DISCUSSION
    • AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
    • STUDY FUNDING
    • DISCLOSURE
    • ACKNOWLEDGMENT
    • Footnotes
    • REFERENCES
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Disclosures
Advertisement

Topics Discussed

  • All Rehabilitation
  • All Spinal Cord
  • Clinical trials Systematic review/meta analysis

Alert Me

  • Alert me when eletters are published
Neurology: 96 (3)

Articles

  • Ahead of Print
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Popular Articles
  • Translations

About

  • About the Journals
  • Ethics Policies
  • Editors & Editorial Board
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Submit

  • Author Center
  • Submit a Manuscript
  • Information for Reviewers
  • AAN Guidelines
  • Permissions

Subscribers

  • Subscribe
  • Activate a Subscription
  • Sign up for eAlerts
  • RSS Feed
Site Logo
  • Visit neurology Template on Facebook
  • Follow neurology Template on Twitter
  • Visit Neurology on YouTube
  • Neurology
  • Neurology: Clinical Practice
  • Neurology: Genetics
  • Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • AAN.com
  • AANnews
  • Continuum
  • Brain & Life
  • Neurology Today

Wolters Kluwer Logo

Neurology | Print ISSN:0028-3878
Online ISSN:1526-632X

© 2021 American Academy of Neurology

  • Privacy Policy
  • Feedback
  • Advertise