The Effect of a Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise (CARE) Training Programme on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomised Controlled Trial
The goal of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week dietary energy restriction with exercise or dietary energy restriction alone on the cardiometabolic health outcomes of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. This study is a randomised controlled trial conducted at a single centre, consisting of two parallel arms. The main questions it aims to answer are:

the effectiveness of an 8-week dietary energy restriction with exercise or dietary energy restriction alone on cardiometabolic disease biomarker outcomes in individuals with chronic SCI
the effectiveness of an 8-week dietary energy restriction with exercise or dietary energy restriction alone on fitness and health outcomes.

Twenty-one participants will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 allocation ratio. The participants will be assigned to either the dietary energy restriction and exercise group (D+E) group, which combines dietary energy restriction and exercise intervention, or the dietary energy restriction group (D) group, which just undergoes dietary energy restriction using sealed envelopes.
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  The inclusion criteria for participation in this study are that patients have a chronic SCI that occurred at least one year before, an age range between 18 and 65 years, and sufficient upper limb function to engage in the exercise intervention. Participants must self-report that they use a wheelchair for the majority of their waking hours, namely 75% of their day, and have continually maintained a stable weight within a range of ± 3 kg over the duration of the previous three months.  Exclusion Criteria:  The study will exclude participants who have provided information about their medical conditions, such as unresolved pressure sores, urinary tract infections, active medical conditions that may be a contraindication to exercise testing (ACSM Exercise Testing Guidelines), or current musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities. Individuals who have self-reported the use of medication for type 2 diabetes or pharmaceuticals that influence glucose metabolism will be excluded from involvement in the research. - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: All - MinimumAge: 18 Years - MaximumAge: 65 Years - StdAgeList: Adult, Older Adult