Overground Walking Program With Robotic Exoskeleton in Long-term Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This trial tests if participation in a 16 week exoskeleton assisted (externally worn powered robotic device)walking program has health benefits. The 16 week walking program consists of 34 moderate to vigorous intensity walking sessions using the exoskeleton. There will be 1 to 3 walking sessions each week. Each walking session will last one hour. ‘Health’ will be measured one month before the walking program starts, at the start of the walking program, immediately after the end of the program and two months after the program is completed. Health features measured include bone health (e.g. osteoporosis), body composition (fat deposition), muscle health (muscle size), hormones that can contribute to diabetes, and fitness. To measure these features, participants will have blood drawn and have two different images (similar to xray and CAT scan) taken.