Physical exercise improves arterial stiffness after spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2014 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000232 · Published: January 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study looked at whether exercise could improve arterial stiffness, a risk factor for CVD, in people with SCI. The researchers compared the arterial stiffness of athletes with SCI to that of non-athletes with SCI. They found that athletes had significantly lower arterial stiffness. This suggests that exercise may help improve cardiovascular health in people with SCI by reducing arterial stiffness.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

20 individuals with motor-complete, chronic SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional comparison

Key Findings

1
Aortic PWV was significantly lower in athletes vs. non-athletes (6.9 ± 1.0 vs. 8.7 ± 2.5 m/second, P = 0.044).
2
There were no significant between-group differences in resting supine mean arterial blood pressure (91 ± 19 vs. 81 ± 10 mmHg) and heart rate (60 ± 10 vs. 58 ± 6 b.p.m.).
3
Athletes with SCI exhibited improved central arterial stiffness compared to non-athletes

Research Summary

This study investigated the influence of physical exercise training on aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The key finding was that athletes with SCI had significantly lower aortic PWV compared to non-athletes with SCI, indicating improved central arterial stiffness. The study suggests that exercise training may improve arterial health and potentially lower cardiovascular disease risk in the SCI population.

Practical Implications

Promote Exercise

Encourage regular physical exercise in individuals with SCI to improve arterial health and potentially reduce CVD risk.

Further Research

Conduct further research to establish the value of aortic PWV as a predictor for CVD risk in the SCI population.

Clinical Relevance

The observed difference in aortic PWV between athletes and non-athletes may be clinically relevant, given the association between aortic PWV and CVD mortality.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional design limits causal inference
2
Relatively small sample size
3
The value of aortic PWV as a predictor for CVD risk in the SCI population still needs to be established.

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