Abstract
PURPOSE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) can be debilitating to one’s health, functional capacity, and quality of life. Specifically, SCI contributes to an elevated risk of preventable cardiometabolic and hypokinetic diseases. Many individuals with SCI have low levels of fitness due to barriers including lack of time, accessible equipment and awareness of exercises that are safe and effective. Using an indoor stationary handcycle to perform a high-intensity exercise program (HIIT) could be a time-efficient and accessible means of improving fitness. The primary aim of this study was to determine adherence, acceptance and fitness outcomes of a 6-week HIIT program for non-ambulatory persons with SCI. METHODS: Three men with SCI have completed the study to date (Table). At baseline, S2 did not participate in regular physical activity (PA). S1 and S3 participated in 1-3 hours of PA 2 times/week. Participants completed a baseline and post graded exercise test. The HIIT program consisted of 2, 25 min supervised at-home sessions (2-3 min warm-up, 10, 1:1 min work/recovery phases at 90% peak power output (PPO) and 0-20% PPO and 2-3 min cool-down). Real-time power, heart rate (HR), cadence and velocities were recorded via sensors and an app (Garmin Connect). RESULTS: Subjects completed all 12 sessions and 10 bouts with the exception of S2 (7/10 and 8/10 bouts for sessions 1 and 4). S2 performed 3 unsupervised sessions verified via the app. Fitness outcomes were not apparent for S2 and S3 while S1 showed increases in VO2 (16.0 to 17.1 ml/kg), minute ventilation (37.9 to 42.0 ml/kg), and tidal volume (1.2 to 1.5 L) peaks after training.Table:: Baseline and training data averaged over the 12 sessions (work phases)CONCLUSION: Feasibility was demonstrated by excellent adherence and remote monitoring of compliance with HIIT intensities. A greater number of weekly sessions and/or a longer training period are likely to lead to improvements in fitness parameters.
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