Effect of 12-week Rebound Training Exercise on energy consumption and body mass index of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background: Energy consumption and body mass index are two of the most important complications associated with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) that can be improved by exercise rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of using rebound therapy (exercise on a trampoline) on energy consumption and body mass index of SCI individuals'. Methods: Sixteen SCI people (ASIA classification: A=6, B=6, C=2, D=2) were selected and randomly divided in two group (an experimental (rebound exercise) group or a control group). The experimental (rebound exercise) group were done exercise program by means of a modified trampoline for 12 weeks (10-30 minutes three sessions a week). Energy consumption (by the physiological cost index (PCI)) and body mass index (by standard formula) were assessed before and after the exercise intervention. Data were analyzed by RM-ANOVA in SPSS software. Results: The mean values of energy consumption were 0.5±0.02 and 0.31±0.01 before and after the exercise, respectively, in the rebound group. Furthermore, these values were 0.38±0.05 and 0.39±0.03 before and after the 12 week, respectively. The results of RM-ANOVA were shown significant interaction in this criteria (P<0.05). The body mass was the other parameter measured in this study. It was 24.6±2.06 kg/m2 before and 23.8±2.09 kg/m2 after exercise in the rebound group. The body mass value in the control group changed from 23.3±2.2 kg/m2 to 23.7±2.3 kg/m2. Table 2 also demonstrates that interactions were significant in this parameter. It means that the control group had no progress, while the experimental group made a significant improvement. Discussion: The results of this study confirmed that rebound therapy could improve the BMI and energy consumption of SCI patients. It suggests that rebound exercise is a useful complementary method for SCI. Due to some limitations associated with this study, it is recommended that the same study be repeated with a big number of subjects and also with separated groups of SCI individuals with complete and incomplete paralysis. Conflict of interest: My co-authors and I acknowledge that we have no conflict of interest of relevance to the submission of this abstract.