Physical exercise is associated with better fat mass distribution and lower insulin resistance in spinal cord injured individuals

Abstract

Physical exercise is associated with lower t-FM, r-FM, and insulin resistance, which could contribute to the decrease of the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions in individuals with c-SCI.

Does Upper Extremity Training Influence Body Composition after Spinal Cord Injury?

“…However, the cost of both CT and MRI scans are high, and special training is required for image analysis [12,19,25]. Therefore, DXA is commonly used to measure total and regional body composition, including measures of bone mineral content, bone mineral density and soft tissue LM and FM [4,19,23,39]. DXA has been proposed as a suitable alternative for measuring abdominal adiposity since it is relatively inexpensive, rapid to perform and requires minimal cooperation from the individual.…”

“…Exercise and healthy dietary habits may result in lowering the percentage of FM and reduce the associated co-morbidities after SCI [39][40][41]. However, the elderly and individuals with high level SCI are physically disabled and may have difficulty exercising or accessing an exercise facility.…”

Editorial: Body composition of women and men with complete motor paraplegia

“…9 Any physical exercise may be beneficial to those with SCI, and can add in reducing insulin resistance and the risk of developing type II diabetes. 10 In this study, the authors found that BMI may well underestimate obesity in those with complete motor paraplegia. A case is made for the reevaluation of the cut scores used to establish a respective BMI score.…”

Type, intensity and duration of daily physical activities performed by adults with spinal cord injury

“…2 This risk can be mitigated by engaging in leisuretime physical activity (LTPA), physical activity that individuals choose to do in their spare time, such as playing a sport, playing with one's children, going out for a wheel or lifting weights at the gym. [3][4][5] For example, engaging in at least 150 min per week of LTPA for 3 months was associated with a lower fat mass, lower c-reactive protein, and serum insulin and leptin levels among men with cervical SCI. 4 Despite these benefits, an estimated 50% of people with SCI accrue absolutely no LTPA.…”

“…[3][4][5] For example, engaging in at least 150 min per week of LTPA for 3 months was associated with a lower fat mass, lower c-reactive protein, and serum insulin and leptin levels among men with cervical SCI. 4 Despite these benefits, an estimated 50% of people with SCI accrue absolutely no LTPA. 6 Similar estimates of inactivity have been reported in the United Kingdom and the United States (53% and 47%, respectively).…”