Background: While various body weight supported locomotor training (BWSLT) approaches are reported in the literature for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), none have evaluated outcomes in terms of gait quality. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in measures of gait quality associated with four different BWSLT approaches in individuals with chronic motorincomplete SCI, and to identify how gait parameters differed from those of non-disabled (ND) individuals.

Adding three pedometer-based, face-to-face group PA counseling sessions to standard CR increased daily step count and time in prolonged MVPA. The latter persisted at 18months. A telephonic after-care program did not improve PA or SB. Although after-care should be optimized to improve long-term adherence, face-to-face group counseling with objective PA feedback should be added to standard CR.

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It would appear that center-based CR is not sufficient to improve and maintain physical activity habits. Home-based programs might be more successful, but the literature on these programs is limited. More research on finding successful interventions to improve activity habits is needed.