Effects of resistance training on strength, pain and shoulder functionality in paraplegics

Study design: Time series design. Objectives: To determine the effects of a shoulder resistance training programme on isokinetic and isometric strength, body composition, pain and functionality in paraplegic subjects. Setting: University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Methods: A total of 15 subjects with thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) performed three testing sessions with an 8-week period between the sessions. Subjects were not disturbed between the first and the second testing sessions. Subjects performed an 8-week resistance training programme after the second testing session. Variations in isometric and isokinetic shoulder muscle strength, body composition, reported pain and shoulder functionality were evaluated. Results: The training programme produced a significant increase (P<0.05) in the isometric and isokinetic strength of several shoulder movements as well as an increase (P<0.05) in arm fat-free mass and a decrease in arm fat mass (FM). Furthermore, reported pain was decreased, (P<0.05) and upper-limb functionality was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Implementing resistance training programmes as physical therapy in SCI subjects effectively increases strength, muscle mass and upper-limb functionality, whereas decreasing FM and pain perception. Spinal Cord (2012) 50, 827-831; doi:10.1038/sc.2012.32; published online 17 April 2012