The effect of arm-crank exercise training on power output, spirometric and cardiac function and level of autonomy in persons with tetraplegia

Studies on the effects of exercise training in persons with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an 8-week stationary arm-crank exercise (ACE) training programme on the level of autonomy, exercise performance, pulmonary functional parameters and resting heart rate variability (HRV) in persons with CSCI. Quadriplegia Index of Function (QIF), arm-crank peak power output (Ppeak), spirometric variables, and HRV indices were measured before and after the training programme in a group of 11 persons with CSCI. ACE training increased Ppeak in both groups (