Assessment of the ability of wheelchair subjects with spinal cord injury to perform a specific protocol of shoulder training: a pilot study

This study assessed the suitability of a shoulder training machine, designed for able-bodied individuals, for use by wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. The research involved 11 paraplegic subjects performing a set protocol of shoulder exercises on the machine. The results indicated that while the training machine could be a valid instrument for shoulder training in paraplegic subjects, it needed adjustments to better suit the needs of wheelchair users. Specifically, a platform to secure the wheelchair and adjustments to attachment heights were recommended. The study also found that exercises requiring torso rotation were challenging for participants with SCI due to weakness in lower trunk musculature, suggesting that these exercises should be modified or removed from the protocol. The wheelchair position relative to the training machine was found to be a valid template for optimal shoulder training.