Effects of resistance training on strength, pain and shoulder functionality in paraplegics

Leisure-time physical activity motives and perceived gains for individuals with spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal cross-sectional.

OBJECTIVES

To examine motives to, and perceived gains from, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Community.

METHODS

One hundred and five physically active individuals with SCI undertook an online survey and a semi-structured interview. The Exercise Motives and Gains Inventory was used to examine the movies towards, and the gains from LTPA, and the Leisure-time Physical Activity Questionnaire was administered via interview to gather LTPA data. A cross-sectional analysis, which included descriptive, inferential, and regression statistics, was conducted on all participants, physical activity (PA) guideline adherers and PA guideline non-adherers.

RESULTS

The most common motives for LTPA were improvements in health and fitness, management of appearance and weight, and avoidance of illness. The most common gains from LTPA included improved health, fitness, strength and endurance, increased nimbleness, and enjoyment and revitalisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst health enhancement appears to be a significant motivator for LTPA, other psychosocial aspects, such as affiliation and revitalisation, appear to influence engagement and volume of LTPA. Regular LTPA should be encouraged for its health benefits, and emphasis should be placed on promoting its ability to reduce illness, facilitate affiliation, and manage stress.

Strength training as a non-pharmacological alternative to improve body composition, and quality of life in people with spinal cord injury: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) have physiological, emotional, and economic consequences in the lives of affected people. Resistance training (RT) is efficient in improving several physiological factors, quality of life, and body composition. Due to the scarce literature on the analysis of isolated RT, the objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of RT without the association of other techniques, in aspects related to the quality of life and body composition of people with SCI.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The research was carried out in databases such as Pubmed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using the terms ("Spinal cord injury") AND (("Resistance Training") OR ("Strength training")). Given the lack of evidence on the subject, no deadline was set for the study to be eligible for analysis.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The search for the articles was carried out in November of 2023 and returned 470 results, of which 315 remained after the elimination of duplicates, with 281 being excluded after title analysis. A total of 34 abstracts were analyzed and 29 studies were excluded, leaving 5 complete articles for thorough analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

After analyzing the main results, we concluded that RT promotes significant improvements in body composition, pain, stress and depression symptoms, increased functionality, physical awareness, and quality of life.

Effectiveness of Exercise Programs for Alleviation of Upper Body Pain in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Upper body pain, particularly in the limbs and shoulders, is a common symptom among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and wheelchair users. Despite the focus on resistance muscle training as a suitable intervention for SCI individuals, findings across different populations and conditions have been inconsistent. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic review to elucidate the correlations among exercise interventions, muscle strength enhancement, and pain reduction. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the keywords "spinal cord injury," "pain," "exercise," "disability," "paraplegia," and "tetraplegia" across the DBpia, EMBASE, PubMed, and Science Direct databases. (3) Results: From 191 identified articles, 13 studies (1 from Korea and 12 from other countries) were selected for analysis. The results indicate that exercise interventions are effective in reducing pain in patients with SCI, with a particular emphasis on alleviating shoulder pain. (4) Conclusion: Exercise is essential for pain reduction in patients with SCI, especially those experiencing shoulder pain. However, there is a notable lack of experimental research focusing primarily on pain. The development of appropriate measurement instruments is crucial for the prevention and relief of pain in this patient population.

Models of care for musculoskeletal shoulder pain in spinal cord injury: A scoping review

CONTEXT

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition that significantly impacts a person's lifestyle, health and well-being. Many individuals with SCI experience secondary musculoskeletal shoulder pain. This scoping review examines the current research on the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain in SCI.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this Scoping Review was (1) to chart peer-reviewed literature regarding the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain as it relates to SCI and (2) identify gaps in this body of literature to inform future research priorities.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were searched from inception until April 2022. In addition, reviewers scanned the reference lists of identified articles. Articles from peer-reviewed sources that reported diagnostic or management procedures for musculoskeletal shoulder conditions within the SCI population were considered and 1679 articles were identified. Title and abstract screening, full text review, and data extraction were undertaken by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Eighty seven articles were included, covering diagnosis or management of shoulder pain in SCI.

CONCLUSION

Whilst the most commonly reported diagnostic procedures and management strategies reflect contemporary practice for shoulder pain, the entire body of literature demonstrates inconsistencies in methodologies. In places, the literature continues to perceive value in procedures inconsistent with best practice. These findings encourage researchers to pursue the development of robust models of care for musculoskeletal shoulder pain in SCI using a collaborative and integrated approach, combining best practice for musculoskeletal shoulder pain alongside clinical expertise in the management of SCI.

Combined effect of graded Thera-Band and scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder adhesive capsulitis post-mastectomy

PURPOSE

The main aim of the trial was to assess the combined impact of graded Thera-Band strengthening exercises and scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder pain, physical function, and quality of life (QoL) in post-mastectomy adhesive capsulitis (AC).

METHODS

Seventy females with unilateral post-mastectomy AC partook in the trial. Participants were subdivided equally into two groups at random. Both groups obtained the traditional physical therapy program; in addition, the intervention group received graded Thera-Band exercises for shoulder muscles and scapular stabilization exercises 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Range of motion (ROM) and muscle power of shoulder were assessed by digital goniometer and handheld dynamometer, respectively. Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH) was utilized for assessment of shoulder function and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain measurement while short-form (SF-36) for QoL assessment. All evaluation data was recorded prior to the trial and at the eighth week of interventions for both groups.

RESULTS

All participants achieved improvements in shoulder ROM, muscle power, pain, and all aspects of QoL; however, higher statistical improvements were reported in all measurements with respect to strengthening exercises group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The addition of graded Thera-Band strengthening exercises and scapular stabilization exercises in post-mastectomy AC rehabilitation program has significant benefits in shoulder function and patients' QoL.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05311839.

Rehabilitation interventions to modify endocrine-metabolic disease risk in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury living in the community (RIISC): A systematic search and review of prospective cohort and case-control studies

CONTEXT

Endocrine-metabolic disease (EMD) is associated with functional disability, social isolation, hospitalization and even death in individuals living with a chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). There is currently very low-quality evidence that rehabilitation interventions can reduce EMD risk during chronic SCI. Non-randomized trials and alternative study designs are excluded from traditional knowledge synthesis.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize evidence from level 3-4 studies evaluating rehabilitation interventions for their effectiveness to improve EMD risk in community-dwelling adults with chronic SCI.

METHODS

Systematic searches of MEDLINE PubMed, EMBASE Ovid, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and PsychInfo were completed. All longitudinal trials, prospective cohort, case-control studies, and case series evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation/therapeutic interventions to modify/associate with EMD outcomes in adults with chronic SCI were eligible. Two authors independently selected studies and abstracted data. Mean changes from baseline were reported for EMD outcomes. The Downs and Black Checklist was used to rate evidence quality.

RESULTS

Of 489 articles identified, 44 articles (N = 842) were eligible for inclusion. Individual studies reported statistically significant effects of electrical stimulation-assisted training on lower-extremity bone outcomes, and the combined effects of exercise and dietary interventions to improve body composition and cardiometabolic biomarkers (lipid profiles, glucose regulation). In contrast, there were also reports of no clinically important changes in EMD outcomes, suggesting lower quality evidence (study bias, inconsistent findings).

CONCLUSION

Longitudinal multicentre pragmatic studies involving longer-term exercise and dietary intervention and follow-up periods are needed to fully understand the impact of these rehabilitation approaches to mitigate EMD risk. Our broad evaluation of prospective cohort and case-control studies provides new perspectives on alternative study designs, a multi-impairment paradigm approach of studying EMD outcomes, and knowledge gaps related to SCI rehabilitation.

Feasibility of an Upper Limb Strength Training Program in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury during Primary Rehabilitation-An Uncontrolled Interventional Study

Data concerning the outcomes of standardized strength-training programs in people with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) are scarce. The present study evaluated the feasibility and effects of a clinic-internal strength-training concept in people with paraplegia during the course of primary rehabilitation. For this purpose, participants followed a 10-12 week standardized supervised strength-training program (30 training sessions) during primary rehabilitation. At the beginning, 5-6 weeks and 10-12 weeks later, maximal strength based on indirect one-repetition maximum (1RM) measurements for two specific exercises (triceps press; horizontal rowing pull) was determined. Twelve out of 17 participants successfully completed the study. Maximal weights for 1RM significantly increased over the 10-12 week training program for the triceps press (+30%; p = 0.018) and the horizontal rowing pull (+41%; p = 0.008). Training compliance was 95%. Reasons for study exclusion were urgent surgery (n = 2), cardio-respiratory complications (n = 1), shoulder pain (n = 1) and a training compliance of less than 50% (n = 1). In conclusion, a supervised and standardized strength-training program during primary rehabilitation of people with paraplegia is feasible and leads to significant increases in maximal strength. Although study participants showed a high training compliance, factors such as medical complications may impede the proper implementation of a strength-training concept into daily clinical practice.

Assessment of shoulder rotation strength, muscle co-activation and shoulder pain in tetraplegic wheelchair athletes - A methodological study

Objective: To develop a feasible protocol for testing maximum shoulder rotation strength in tetraplegic wheelchair athletes, and investigate concurrent validity of maximum isometric handheld dynamometer (HHD) towards maximum isokinetic dynamometer (ID) strength measurements; secondly, to study shoulder muscle activation during maximum shoulder rotation measurements, and the association between shoulder strength and shoulder pain.Design: Descriptive methodological.Setting: Danish Wheelchair Rugby (WCR) association for WCR tetraplegic athletes from local WCR-clubs.Participants: Twelve adult tetraplegics.Interventions: N/A.Outcome measures: Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) measured shoulder pain, isometric HHD and ID (60°/s) measured maximum internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotation strength. Surface Electromyography normalized to maximum EMG measured muscle activity (mm Infraspinatus and Latissimus Dorsi) during maximum shoulder rotation strength.Results: Concurrent validity of isometric HHD towards ID showed Concordance Correlation Coefficients of left and right arms 0.90 and 0.86 (IR), and 0.89 and 0.91 (ER), with no difference in muscle activity between isometric HHD and ID, but larger co-activation during ER. There was no association between shoulder strength and pain, except for significantly weak negative associations between ID and pain during ER for left and right arms (P = 0.03; P = 0.04).Conclusion: Standardized feasible protocol for tetraplegic wheelchair athletes for measuring maximum shoulder rotation strength was established. Isometric HHD is comparable with ID on normalized peak torques and muscle activity, but with larger co-activation. Strength was not clearly associated with shoulder pain.

Effect of hybrid FES exercise on body composition during the sub-acute phase of spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVES

To determine the Effect of Hybrid functional electrically stimulated (FES) Exercise on Body Composition during the Sub-acute Phase of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

DESIGN

Randomized Clinical Trial.

SETTING

Rehabilitation Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients within sub-acute phase (3-24 months) of SCI.

INTERVENTIONS

We investigated if high-intensity exercise training via the addition of functional electrically stimulated (FES) leg muscles, provides sufficient stimulus to mitigate against body composition changes in the sub-acute phase after SCI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We explored potential effects of FES row training (FESRT) on body fat gain, lean mass loss, and cardiometabolic parameters and compared the effects of 6-month of FESRT (n = 18) to standard of care (SOC, n = 13). Those in SOC were crossed over to FESRT.

RESULTS

FESRT resulted in greater exercise capacity and a tendency for lesser total body fat accumulation with a significant increase in total and leg lean mass (p<0.05). In addition pelvis and total bone mineral density declines were significantly less (p<0.05). Compared to SOC, FESRT did not lead to any significant difference in insulin sensitivity or serum lipids. However, HbA1C levels were significantly decreased in SOC participants who crossed over to 6-month FESRT.

CONCLUSION

FESRT early after SCI provides a sufficient stimulus to mitigate against detrimental body composition changes. This may lead to prevention of losses in lean mass, including bone.

The effectiveness of community-based upper body exercise programs in persons with chronic paraplegia and manual wheelchair users: A systematic review

Context: Physical activity has been beneficial to health, functional independence and quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury. However, there is no consensus concerning the effects of community-based upper-body exercise for people with paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.Objective: Conduct a systematic review of evidence of upper-body exercise effects able to be developed in a community-setting, on both functional independence and quality of life, for individuals with chronic paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Ebsco, SportDiscus and Web of Science databases were browsed, searching for studies that combined words as paraplegia, exercise, functional independence and quality of life and their synonyms, published from January/1998 to December/2018 in English. PEDro scale and the Cochrane tool analyzed methodological quality and risk of bias, respectively.Results: Four studies were selected out of 4004. Studies conducted aerobic arm-ergometer and resistance training predominantly at home. Upper-limb functionality and wheelchair propulsion assessed functional independence, but only the first presented positive effects after resistance training. Resistance and aerobic arm-ergometer training seemed to improve health-related and subjective quality of life.Conclusion: Studies have shown low methodological quality and high risk of bias. Aerobic arm-ergometer and resistance training were the most upper-body exercises used. Resistance training improved functional independence while both types of exercise induced positive effects on quality of life. Future studies with uniform and high-quality methodology should be conducted with exercise in community-dwelling people with paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.

Comparison of the functional and cardiovascular effects of home-based versus supervised hospital circuit training exercises in male wheelchair users with chronic paraplegia

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of home-based upper extremity circuit training exercises (CTEs) with supervised hospital program in male patients with traumatic complete paraplegia.

Patients and methods

Twenty men with paraplegia (mean age: 38±10.1 years; range, 30 to 43 years) between January 2007 and November 2007 were randomized into two groups. The first group had supervised hospital CTE program, whereas the second group had home-based CTE. The effects of the upper extremity CTE by using elastic bands 60 min per day, five days a week, for a total of eight weeks (70% maximal oxygen consumption [VO_2max]) were examined. The Cybex was used for the isokinetic testing of the upper extremities. The VO_2max and maximum heart rate (HR) were assessed using an arm ergometer. The Craig Handicap Report Technique Short Form (CHART-SF) was used for the evaluation of functional independence and mobility. Serum lipid profiles were measured.

Results

The mean injury duration was 7.9±2 years. The peak torque values of the upper extremities, VO_2max, maximum HR, CHART-SF physical independence and mobility scores, and serum lipid profile were all improved in both groups (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of the increase in the muscle strength and serum lipid levels between the groups (p>0.05). The improvement in the VO_2max, physical independence, and mobility scores were greater in the supervised exercise group.

Conclusion

Upper extremity strength, cardiovascular endurance, and lipid profile were improved after supervised and home-based CTE in the men with paraplegia. Home-based exercise programs may be good alternatives to the hospital rehabilitation for this patient population.

The effect of an eight-week shoulder rehabilitation intervention programme on pain and function, range of motion and muscle strength among teachers: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Teachers present with shoulder musculoskeletal disorders, which result in pain and poor shoulder function.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of an eight-week shoulder rehabilitation intervention on pain and function, range of motion and muscle strength among teachers.

METHODS

Thirty teachers presenting with shoulder pain were recruited and divided into equal control and experimental groups. The intervention group participated in an eight-week rehabilitation programme. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included the scapular position test, range of motion, muscle strength measurements as well as a shoulder rating questionnaire.

RESULTS

There was a significant improvement in the experimental group's internal range of motion for the dominant (p= 0.006) and non-dominant arms (p= 0.003) post-intervention. Additionally, significant improvements were found in muscle strength in the experimental group in dominant and non-dominant flexion; abduction; external rotation (p< 0.001); dominant internal rotation (p< 0.001) and non-dominant internal rotation strength (p= 0.007). Post-intervention questionnaire data found a decrease in pain (p= 0.003); improved ability to perform daily activities (p= 0.006); improved overall score (p< 0.001) and satisfaction (p= 0.023) in the intervention group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of a rehabilitation programme in schools should be considered to manage the prevalence of shoulder musculoskeletal disorders among teachers.

Comparative study of the effectiveness of a low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment and physical exercise in women with fibromyalgia: randomized clinical trial

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic pain and fatigue, among other manifestations, thus advising interventions that do not aggravate these symptoms. The main purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on induced fatigue, pain, endurance and functional capacity, physical performance and cortical excitability when compared with a physical exercise program in women with FM.

Methods

A total of 49 women with FM took part in this randomized controlled trial. They were randomly allocated to three groups: physical exercise group (PEG, n = 16), low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (HBG, n = 17) and control group (CG, n = 16). Induced fatigue, perceived pain, pressure pain threshold, endurance and functional capacity, physical performance and cortical excitability were assessed. To analyse the effect of the interventions, two assessments, that is, pre and post intervention, were carried out. Analyses of the data were performed using two-way mixed multivariate analysis of variance.

Results

The perceived pain and induced fatigue significantly improved only in the HBG (p < 0.05) as opposed to PEG and CG. Pressure pain threshold, endurance and functional capacity, and physical performance significantly improved for both interventions (p < 0.05). The cortical excitability (measured with the resting motor threshold) did not improve in any of the treatments (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Low-pressure HBOT and physical exercise improve pressure pain threshold, endurance and functional capacity, as well as physical performance. Induced fatigue and perceived pain at rest significantly improved only with low-pressure HBOT.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03801109.

Motivation to Physical Exercise in Manual Wheelchair Users With Paraplegia

Background: Motivation could be considered as a critical factor for being and staying physically active in the spinal cord-injured population. Objectives: Our goals were (1) to describe motivation to exercise in people with paraplegia, comparing those who engage in regular physical exercise with those who do not and (2) to establish whether such motivation is related to the type of physical exercise practiced. Methods: This study was quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive research. One-hundred and six participants with chronic paraplegia completed the Spanish version of the Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2). Participants were divided into the non-exerciser group (NEG) and the exerciser group (EG). EG was subclassified into sports players (SPs) and physical exercisers (PEs). Results: Participants in both EG and NEG presented a similar motivation toward physical exercise. The most important motive to practice or to adhere to exercise in participants with SCI was ill-health avoidance (mean, 8.45; SD, 1.33). Fitness was the second most important motive (ie, nimbleness, flexibility, strength, and endurance). Motives that distinguished EG from NEG included enjoyment and revitalization [t(41.9) = -2.54, p < .05, r = 0.36], competition [t(56.8) = 2.24, p < .05, r = 0.28], and health pressure [t(104) = 3.22, p < .01, r = 0.30]. Furthermore, we found that motivation was related to the type of physical exercise performed. SPs showed a statistically significantly higher score for competition and enjoyment and revitalization than PEs (p < .05). Conclusion: Ill-health avoidance and fitness are the key motivational factors to practice and adhere to physical exercise. Motivation is related to the type of physical exercise performed. Health providers need to understand these factors to promote and sustain long-term adherence to exercise in the SCI population.

Physical Training and Upper-Limb Strength of People With Paraplegia: A Systematic Review

Context:Physical training improves the strength of upper limbs, contributing directly to the performance of activities of daily life, confirming one more time that the strengthened muscle is imperative for a rapid rehabilitation.Objective:To investigate the scientific implications of the impact of physical training on the strength of the upper limbs of people with paraplegias.Evidence Acquisition:The search strategy with truncations and Boolean operator was defined as:(spinal cord inju* OR traumatic myelopat* OR paraplegi*) AND (physical exercise OR strength training OR resisted training) AND (upper limb* OR arm OR armrest),for all of the databases. There were included experimental and quasi-experimental studies, published in the English language and with the complete text available, with at least 1 physical exercise that worked with the strength of the upper limbs. Two independent evaluators extracted from each article data on study characteristics (publishing year, country of origin, and study design), of the subjects (gender and age), and of the disability (level of lesion and cause).Evidence Synthesis:Seven articles were included in the systematic revision. The procedure used the most for measuring the maximum strength was the 1-repetition maximum test, followed by the isokinetic dynamometer and Quantitative Muscle Testing System. Furthermore, the most commonly associated variables in the included studies were pain in the shoulder, cardiorespiratory capacity, and functionality, respectively. The results showed that all of the variables improved because of the training.Conclusions:The training improved the strength, the functionality, and reduced the pain in the shoulder of the people with paraplegia.

Identifying physical activity type in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury by means of accelerometers

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study was to develop and test classification algorithms based on machine learning using accelerometers to identify the activity type performed by manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

The study was conducted in the Physical Therapy department and the Physical Education and Sports department of the University of Valencia.

METHODS

A total of 20 volunteers were asked to perform 10 physical activities, lying down, body transfers, moving items, mopping, working on a computer, watching TV, arm-ergometer exercises, passive propulsion, slow propulsion and fast propulsion, while fitted with four accelerometers placed on both wrists, chest and waist. The activities were grouped into five categories: sedentary, locomotion, housework, body transfers and moderate physical activity. Different machine learning algorithms were used to develop individual and group activity classifiers from the acceleration data for different combinations of number and position of the accelerometers.

RESULTS

We found that although the accuracy of the classifiers for individual activities was moderate (55-72%), with higher values for a greater number of accelerometers, grouped activities were correctly classified in a high percentage of cases (83.2-93.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

With only two accelerometers and the quadratic discriminant analysis algorithm we achieved a reasonably accurate group activity recognition system (>90%). Such a system with the minimum of intervention would be a valuable tool for studying physical activity in individuals with SCI.

Exercise training programs to improve hand rim wheelchair propulsion capacity: a systematic review

Objective:

An adequate wheelchair propulsion capacity is required to perform daily life activities. Exercise training may be effective to gain or improve wheelchair propulsion capacity. This review investigates whether different types of exercise training programs are effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity.

Data sources:

PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched from their respective inceptions in October 2013.

Review methods:

Exercise training studies with at least one outcome measure regarding wheelchair propulsion capacity were included. In this study wheelchair propulsion capacity includes four parameters to reflect functional wheelchair propulsion: cardio-respiratory fitness (aerobic capacity), anaerobic capacity, muscular fitness and mechanical efficiency. Articles were not selected on diagnosis, training type or mode. Studies were divided into four training types: interval, endurance, strength, and mixed training. Methodological quality was rated with the PEDro scale, and the level of evidence was determined.

Results:

The 21 included studies represented 249 individuals with spinal-cord injury (50%), various diagnoses like spina bifida (4%), cerebral palsy (2%), traumatic injury, (3%) and able-bodied participants (38%). All interval training studies found a significant improvement of 18-64% in wheelchair propulsion capacity. Three out of five endurance training studies reported significant effectiveness. Methodological quality was generally poor and there were only two randomised controlled trials.

Conclusion:

Exercise training programs seem to be effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity. However, there is remarkably little research, particularly for individuals who do not have spinal-cord injury.