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Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of exercise on individual cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) risk factors in adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Data Sources: English language searches of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus (January 1, 1970, to July 31, 2019). Study Selection: Articles were included if they met the following criteria: (1) original articles with statistical analysis, (2) participants were adults with a SCI sustained ≥1 year ago, (3) exercise intervention duration ≥2 weeks, and (4) included any CMS risk factor as an outcome. Data Extraction: The methodological quality of articles was assessed using the Downs and Black score. Data Synthesis: Sixty-five studies were included for the final analysis, including 9 studies classified as high quality (≥66.7%), 35 studies classified as fair quality (50%-66.6%), and 21 studies classified as low quality (<50%). Improvements in waist circumference (4/6 studies) and markers of hepatic insulin sensitivity (4/5 studies) were reported following upper body aerobic exercise training, but no improvements in fasting glucose (8/8 studies), lipid profile (6/8 studies), systolic blood pressure (8/9 studies), or diastolic blood pressure (9/9 studies) were observed. Improvements in markers of peripheral insulin sensitivity (5/6 studies) were observed following functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling. Improvements in lipid profile (4/5 studies) were observed following upper body resistance training (RT) (with or without aerobic exercise). No consistent improvements in CMS risk factors were observed following assisted ambulation, FES hybrid, FES rowing, and FES RT. Conclusions: Upper body aerobic exercise training (>75% maximum heart rate) appears to improve waist circumference and hepatic insulin sensitivity but appears insufficient for improving fasting glucose, lipid profile, or resting blood pressure. The addition of RT to upper body aerobic exercise may elicit favorable changes in the lipid profile. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm if FES cycling is effective at improving peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2177-2205
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume101
Issue number12
Early online date20 May 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Exercise therapy
  • Metabolic diseases
  • Rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injuries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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