The Effects of an Acute High-intensity Exercise on Heart and Brain Function in People With Spinal Cord Injury

This study will be a cohort control study involving two groups: individuals with SCI, whose level of injury is at the 6th thoracic vertebra or above, and age- and sex-matched controls. Eligible participants will be asked to visit the Laboratory located at 115 Kimball Tower, University at Buffalo South Campus, twice. The first visit takes up to 3 hours, and the second visit takes up to 5 hours.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with a traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury and have ≥4/5 strength in at least one cervical 5 myotome (elbow flexors), allowing to utilize the arm ergometer and level of injury at or above the 6th thoracic vertebra
• Classified as A, B, C, D (motor and sensory complete or incomplete) on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS)
• Longer than 6 months post the onset of injury and have been discharged to the community from inpatient rehabilitation prior to enrollment
• English is the first language
• At least one of the cerebral arteries (i.e., middle cerebral artery and/or posterior cerebral artery) can be found via transcranial Doppler

Exclusion criteria

• Medical conditions that preclude exercise, such as unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmias, a recent history of congestive heart failure that has not been evaluated and effectively treated, severe valvular disease, uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., resting systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 105 mmHg)
• Moderate-severe traumatic brain injury
• Diabetes
• Color blindness
• Pre-existing shoulder injuries
• Pregnancy