Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of following the physical activity guidelines
(PAG) for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) for 16 weeks. DESIGN: Randomized
controlled trial. SETTING: Community exercise program. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals
with SCI (N=23; neurological level of injury, C3-T11;
American Spinal Injury
Association Impairment Scale
A-C; time postinjury, 12.0+/-9.9 y; age, 41.4+/-11.6
y). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned to PAG training (n=12) or
active control (n=11) groups. PAG training involved >/=20 minutes of
moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise (rating of perceived exertion 3-6 on 10-point
scale) and 3x10 repetitions of upper-body strengthening exercises (50%-70% 1
repetition maximum) 2 times per week. The control group maintained existing
physical activity levels with no guidance on training intensity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures were obtained pre- and postintervention. Vascular
health indicators included arterial stiffness via carotid distensibility and
pulse wave velocity, and endothelial function via flow-mediated-dilation. Fasted
blood samples were analyzed for markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Body composition was assessed via anthropometrics and with dual-energy x-ray
absorptiometry. RESULTS: Twenty-one individuals completed the intervention
(PAG=12, control=9). Group-by-time interactions were observed for whole-body mass
(P=.03), whole-body fat (P=.04), visceral adipose tissue (P=.04), and carotid
artery distensibility (P=.05), suggesting maintained body composition and carotid
stiffness in the PAG group concurrent with declines in the control group. No
changes were found in any other outcome measure. CONCLUSIONS: While 16 weeks of
adherence to the PAG in adults with SCI is insufficient to improve many markers
of CVD risk, it may prevent declines in others. The PAG should continue to be
promoted as a means to increase physical fitness and maintain body composition in
individuals with SCI, but changes may be needed to achieve other health outcomes.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS