Repetitive Exposure of Intermittent Hypoxia to Enhance Walking Recovery in Persons With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this study is to determine how the nervous system controlling leg muscles is altered following spinal cord injury and how they may be affected by brief periods of low oxygen inhalation over time. The investigators hypothesize: Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) exposure will increase maximum voluntary leg strength in persons with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) AIH exposure will increase multijoint reflex excitability of leg muscles in persons with incomplete cervical SCI AIH exposure will increase walking performance in persons with incomplete cervical SCI
• 18 to 75 years old (the latter to reduce likelihood of heart disease);
• medically stable with clearance from physician to participate;
• motor---incomplete SCI at C2---L5 with non---progressive etiology;
• >6 months since SCI to ensure minimal confounds of spontaneous neurological recovery;
• those classified as ambulatory must have the ability to advance one step overground without human assistance.