Does Upper Extremity Training Influence Body Composition after Spinal Cord Injury?

Authors

Justin A. Fisher, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Virginia Commonwealth University
Meredith A. McNelis, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Virginia Commonwealth University
Ashraf S. Gorgey, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Virginia Commonwealth University
David R. Dolbow, University of Southern Mississippi
Lance L. Goetz, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Virginia Commonwealth University

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2015

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Aging & Disease

Volume

6

Issue

4

DOI of Original Publication

10.14336/AD.2014.0912

Comments

Originally published at http://dx.doi.org/10.14336/AD.2014.0912

Date of Submission

November 2015

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to serious body composition adaptations characterized by increasing whole body fat mass and decreased soft tissue lean mass (LM). These adaptations in body composition may lead to several cardio-metabolic disorders that reduce the quality of life, increase patients’ and caregivers’ burden and eventually leads to mortality. Exercise, an appropriate dietary regimen, and an active lifestyle may alleviate several of the negative effects on body composition after a SCI. Today however, there is no established consensus on the recommended dose, frequency or type of exercise to ameliorate several of the body composition sequelae after an acute SCI. Resistance training has been previously recommended as an effective strategy to restore soft tissue LM and decrease fat mass (FM). The strategy can be simply implemented as a routine home-based training program using free weights or resistance bands after a SCI. Additionally, upper extremity (UE) circuit resistance training has been previously used to improve cardiovascular and metabolic parameters after a SCI; however compared to the vast knowledge regarding the able-bodied (AB) population, the effects of UE circuit resistance training on body composition after a SCI is not well established. In summary, the available evidence does not support the rationale that UE circuit resistance training can lead to positive adaptations in body composition after a SCI. Further studies are suggested to examine the effects of UE circuit resistance training on body composition.

Rights

Fisher, J. et al. Does Upper Extremity Training Influence Body Composition after Spinal Cord Injury?. Aging & Disease, 6(4) 2015. Copyright © 2015 Aging & Disease.

Is Part Of

VCU Kinesiology and Health Sciences Publications