Effect of Three Training Programs on the Cardiovascular Condition of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury, a Model of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction.
Objective: Describe the effect of different aerobic training programs on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), cardiovascular condition, body composition, metabolic profile, movement and functional independence in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design: Randomized clinical trial Participants: Individuals in the chronic phase of SCI. Interventions: Three training programs: continuous aerobic in kayak, aerobic resistance circuit, and high-intensity interval with rope. The main measures to be explored will be the potential effects of training on heart rate variability as an indicator of autonomic function; measurement of oxygen consumption (VO2max) and resting metabolic unit (METs) for cardiovascular fitness; bone density examination (DXA) for body composition, metabolic profile, functional independence and life satisfaction in individuals with SCI.
Results: The 8-week training program will increase METs and VO2max, improve heart rate variability and anthropometric variables, body composition, and metabolic profile
• Clinical diagnosis of spinal cord injury with any American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) classification
• Neurologic level below C8
• Time since injury greater than 6 months
• Any etiology
• Any type (complete and incomplete)
• Adequate trunk control (trunk control scale \>13 points)