Spinal Cord Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Cardiovascular exercise can have a positive impact on people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in several ways including improvements in cardiovascular fitness, aerobic capacity and exercise tolerance as well as neural and muscular function. NuStep recumbent cross trainers have been used in multiple studies as an exercise modality for individuals who experienced spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries as well as those with neurological impairments.
Studies and Summaries:
Neural coupling between upper and lower limbs during recumbent stepping
J Appl Physiol | 2004
Research Summary
In this study, the authors noted that the self-assisted stepping mechanism of the NuStep recumbent cross trainer may be able to “capitalize on neural coupling between the upper and lower limbs during rhythmic locomotor like tasks.” Study also indicates neurologically impaired people using their upper limbs while recumbent stepping may increase neuromuscular activation.
Authors
Huang HJ, Ferris DP.
Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Locomotor Function Following Chronic Stroke, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, and Brain Injury
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy | 2020
Research Summary
Clinical evidence supports cycle or recumbent stepping interventions for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI):
Action Statement 4: CYCLING INTERVENTIONS FOLLOWING ACUTE-ONSET CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) INJURY. Based on the preponderance of evidence for individuals poststroke and no evidence for individuals with iSCI and TBI, clinicians may consider use of cycling or recumbent stepping interventions at higher aerobic intensities instead of alternative interventions to improve walking speed and distance in individuals greater than 6 months following acute-onset CNS injury as compared with alternative interventions (evidence quality: I-II; recommendation strength: weak for individuals with stroke).
A link to the comprehensive guidelines is available here Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (lww.com)
Authors
Hornby, T. George PT, PhD; Reisman, Darcy S. PT, PhD; Ward, Irene G. PT, DPT, NCS; Scheets, Patricia L. PT, DPT, NCS; Miller, Allison PT, DPT, NCS; Haddad, David PT, DPT; Fox, Emily J. PT, PhD, NCS; Collaborators; Fritz, Nora E. PT, PhD, NCS; Collaborators; Hawkins, Kelly PT, PhD, NCS; Collaborators; Henderson, Christopher E. PT, PhD, NCS; Collaborators; Hendron, Kathryn L. PT, PhD, NCS; Collaborators; Holleran, Carey L. PT, DHS, NCS; Collaborators; Lynskey, James E. PT, PhD; Collaborators; Walter, Amber PT, DPT, NCS; Collaborators.
Effects of aerobic exercise training on fitness and walking-related outcomes in ambulatory individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury
Spinal Cord | 2016
Research Summary
The individuals who participated in the study were ambulatory adults with chronic motor-incomplete spinal corde injury (SCI). The exercise protocol on the T5XR did meet the Aerobic Exercise Training requirements for individuals who had experienced an SCI.
The fitness and walking related outcomes are noted in Table 3 in the article. The authors also noted the following in the discussion:
“On the basis of the findings, we recommend AET on a recumbent stepper as a feasible alternative or adjuvant to current interventions aimed at improving walking outcomes in ambulatory individuals with incomplete SCI. Compared with other modalities such as locomotor training and robotic-assisted gait training, AET on a recumbent stepper requires fewer personnel, uses less expensive equipment and may be more time efficient, thus increasing the benefits of this option.”
Authors
DiPiro, N., Embry, A., Fritz, S. et al.
A 16-week randomized controlled trial evaluating the physical activity guidelines for adults with spinal cord injury
Spinal Cord | 2015
Research Summary
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the physical activity guidelines (PAG) for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) to improve aspects of physical fitness. The NuStep T5XR was one of the pieces of aerobic exercise equipment used as part of a comprehensive program which included aerobic and resistance exercise.
The authors concluded that the PAG for adults with SCI are sufficient to improve aspects of aerobic and muscular fitness and should be promoted as a means to improve physical capacity.
Authors
Pelletier, C., Totosy de Zepetnek, J., MacDonald, M. et al.