Improvement in Hemodynamic Responses to Metaboreflex Activation after One Year of Training in Spinal Cord Injured Humans

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can disrupt the body's ability to control blood vessel constriction, affecting blood pressure and heart function during exercise. This study investigates if exercise training can improve these cardiovascular responses in SCI individuals. Nine SCI individuals underwent a year-long arm training program, with cardiovascular function tested before and after the training using a metaboreflex activation test, which stimulates a cardiovascular reflex through muscle metabolic byproducts. The study found that after training, the SCI subjects showed improved cardiovascular responses to the metaboreflex, including increased cardiac output and ventricular filling rate, suggesting that training can help restore some cardiovascular control.

• 1
  Cardiac output response to metaboreflex activity increased significantly after one year of training.
• 2
  Ventricular filling rate response was higher after training, indicating improved diastolic function.
• 3
  End-diastolic volume response also increased after training, further supporting improved cardiac preload.