The study is a multi-centre, assessor-blind, randomised controlled phase III trial in patients with with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury between C6 and T12. A total of 188 participants will be randomised into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. The control group participants will receive an upper body strength and fitness program, conducted for 2-3 hours, three times per week for 12 weeks, while the experimental group articipants will receive a comprehensive full body exercise program, conducted for 2-3 hours, three times per week for 12 weeks.~The main objective of this study is to determine if the experimental exercise program is more effective than the upper body strength and fitness program in promoting neurological improvement in participants with spinal cord injury.~Total study duration is 3.5 years, including a 24 month recruitment period, a 12-week treatment period followed by 6 month and 12 month (from baseline) follow up assessments.~Participants will be assessed by a blinded assessor (the assessor will not know which group the participants are in) using standard physiotherapy, neurophysiological, fitness and functional tests, psychological and quality of life questionnaires, as well as tests of immune function and bone structure.
The study is a multi-centre, assessor-blind, randomised controlled phase III trial in patients with with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury between C6 and T12. A total of 188 participants will be randomised into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. The control group participants will receive an upper body strength and fitness program, conducted for 2-3 hours, three times per week for 12 weeks, while the experimental group participants will receive a comprehensive full body exercise program, conducted for 2-3 hours, three times per week for 12 weeks.~The main objective of this study is to determine if the experimental exercise program is more effective than the upper body strength and fitness program in promoting neurological improvement in participants with spinal cord injury.~Total study duration is 3.5 years, including a 24 month recruitment period, a 12-week treatment period followed by 6 month and 12 month (from baseline) follow up assessments.~Participants will be assessed by a blinded assessor (the assessor will not know which group the participants are in) using standard physiotherapy, neurophysiological, fitness and functional tests, psychological and quality of life questionnaires, as well as tests of immune function and bone structure.