The Feasibility and Effects of Low-load Blood-flow Restricted Exercise Following Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This trial is recruiting individuals with cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to study the effect of limiting blood flow while exercising. Low-intensity blood-flow restricted exercise (BFRE) is achieved by applying an occlusion cuff (e.g, an inflated band) around each thigh while doing exercises at 20-30% of maximal intensity. BFRE has been reported to be safe has previously been shown to increase muscle strength and improve gait (walking) performance in individuals with reduced mobility. If selected for this trial, participants will be randomly assigned to either the active BFRE group or the sham BFRE group. The sham group also wears occlusion cuffs, but they are inflated to a lower pressure that is thought not to affect training. Training sessions are 45 minutes twice per week for 8 weeks. Changes in leg muscle strength and walking function will be measured.