Research Results Reveal the Best Type of Spinal Cord Exercises

Exercise is essential for everyone, but this is especially true for a spinal cord injury survivor. What makes spinal cord exercise particularly important after an injury, and what are the best types of exercises to perform? This was the focus of a recent study in Canada that proved to be very revealing. Let’s take a closer look. 

A Canadian Study on Spinal Cord Exercise After Injuries 

How did the research team determine the benefits of exercise for spinal cord injury patients? First, they consulted electronic databases that gave them access to other studies performed between the years 1980 and 2016. They only considered studies that involved a period of exercise that lasted two weeks or more. The studies all involved SCI patients, and the studies had to measure bone health, cardiometabolic health, and overall fitness. 

The researchers found 211 studies that met the stringent requirements. This allowed them to have a broad cross-section of research to examine. The results were different depending on whether there were acute spinal cord injuries involved or whether the issue was chronic. 

There were only 22 studies that met the criteria and involved acute SCIs. The outcomes were low in most cases, so the results were more about the benefits for chronic SCI problems. We will now examine the results of the 189 chronic SCI studies and what they revealed regarding the best spinal cord exercises to perform. 

Results of the Spinal Cord Exercise Study for Chronic SCI Problems 

First, we will give you the overall results of the study, and then we will break down what these results mean for the average patient with a chronic SCI. 

For patients who had two to three exercise sessions per week, the best results came from spending 20 to 40 minutes doing moderate to vigorous exercise. Researchers also recommended activities that improve upper body strength. This included three sets of 10 reps, while only using one repetition when targeting more substantial muscle groups. On the other hand, there were also benefits seen when patients underwent three to five sessions per week. In this case, the exercise period should also be of a comparable length of time.

In what areas did the patients see benefits when they performed these exercise routines? 

• Muscle strength improved 
• Power output increased
• Cardiorespiratory fitness was enhanced

The more frequent exercise regimens also had these added benefits:

• Enhanced body composition
• Decreased risk of cardiovascular problems 

What Conclusions Did the Researchers Draw from this Study? 

As a result of the study, researchers concluded that exercise was vital for patients with chronic SCI. It is interesting that the study mostly focused on upper body exercise, showing that the focus was on improving independence and that the patients in the study were not regaining lower body function. Therefore, it reveals that upper body exercise is essential, regardless of the extent of your injuries and whether walking again is even an option.

What does this mean for the average chronic SCI patient? First of all, it means that you should be getting moderate to vigorous exercise between two and five times per week. Remember that the reduced cardiovascular risk and improved body composition occurred for the group that exercised 3-5 times per week but not the 2-3 session per week group. So how often you work out also matters.

It is also interesting to note that these were not extremely long sessions. Exercising between 20 and 40 minutes is something that most people should be able to fit into their schedule three to five times per week. 

Finding the Best Spinal Cord Exercises for You 

Of course, the best spinal cord exercises get decided on a case by case basis depending on your specific injury and level of mobility. Therefore, you want to work with an experienced and state-of-the-art spinal cord injury recovery facility so that you can maximize your results, potential, and regained independence. That is what iAM ABLE came into existence for. 

Our program is focused on six different aspects, so that you receive whole-body training, even if you are wheelchair-bound. The six areas we focus on include:

1. Range of Motion – You want to maximize the range of motion of the muscles that are functional. This will allow you to perform as many movements as possible on your own. 
2. Strength – Increasing your power allows you to manage your own body weight under different or challenging circumstances, thereby decreasing the number of situations where you will require help. 
3. Weight Bearing – Besides just increasing muscle strength, you need to learn how to bear weight in various situations.
4. Balance and Coordination – Many people don’t realize how difficult it can be even just to sit up straight after a spinal cord injury. Balance and coordination training is a must.
5. Stimulation – A functional electronic stimulator allows for the stimulation of muscles that you cannot activate on your own. This helps you to get a total body workout.
6. Gait – The Lokomat machine allows that body to move with a simulated normal gait. Whether you can restore walking function or not, this allows your body to remember the movements of a regular walking pattern. 

To learn more about our unique methods, contact iAM ABLE today by calling 786.628.8323, and don’t forget to download our essential eBook to help you cope with the challenges of SCI recovery.

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