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Physical activity guidelines for
adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) have been released by McMaster University, in
partnership with SCI Action Canada and the Rick Hansen Institute. The guidelines, the
first evidence-based ones of their kind, state that to improve fitness, healthy adults
with SCI should participate in at least 20 minutes of moderate-vigorous aerobic activity
two times per week, as well as strength training exercises two times per week.

Daily physical activity levels among people with SCI are generally lower than those of
the able-bodied population, especially among women, older adults, people with less
recent injuries, and understandably among people with more severe injuries. All healthy
adults with SCI – due to traumatic or non-traumatic causes – are encouraged to
participate in a variety of physical activities that are enjoyable and safe, as they are
able.

“We know that physical activity plays such a vital role in overall health and the loss of
fitness
and independence associated with physical inactivity greatly impacts quality of life and
community participation,” said Kathleen Martin Ginis, professor and health and exercise
psychology director with the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster. “For adults with
SCI, our message is simple – physical activity matters!”

The leading causes of death among people with SCI are chronic diseases that are often
related to physical inactivity, such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes. “Lack of physical
conditioning due to SCI is also linked to an increased risk for chronic secondary health
complications, such as pain and pressure ulcers,” said Amir Rasheed, director of best
practices and implementation for the Rick Hansen Institute. “Having practical guidelines
to support clinicians and exercise programmers in prescribing and promoting exercise
will go a long way to helping reduce the likelihood that people with SCI will experience
these types of secondary complications.”

The guidelines recommend a wide variety of aerobic and strength training activities
that are appropriate for people with SCI. Aerobic activities such as arm cycling, body
weight supported treadmill walking or water exercise, or strength training exercises
using weights or elastic resistance bands will help get the heart rate up, improve
strength and prevent muscle atrophy.

“Physical activity is something people with SCI are always looking for information and
guidance on, they want to know what they have to do to achieve the health benefits
associated with physical activity,” said Spero Ginis, knowledge translation specialist
with SCI Action Canada. “This is an important milestone as these evidence-based
guidelines will inform the promotion and prescription of physical activity for Canadians
with SCI.”

Spinal cord injury affects an estimated 86,000 individuals living in Canada and the
numbers of
SCI cases are projected to increase over the next two decades affecting an estimated
121,000 people by 2030.

The guidelines were developed by an expert panel from across Canada, led by
researchers at McMaster University, with support from the Rick Hansen Institute, and in
partnership with SCI Action Canada. Development of the guidelines followed a rigorous
and internationally accepted, consensus approach to guideline development.

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