Feasibility of HIIT in Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is debilitating to an individual's health, functional capacity and quality of life. This contributes to a sedentary lifestyle and an elevated risk for cardiometabolic and hypokinetic diseases. While physical activity is promoted in persons with SCI to reduce incidence of secondary disabling conditions, a majority of individuals are inactive and have low levels of fitness. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise characterized by brief, intermittent bouts of intense exercise, separated by periods of lower intensity exercise for recovery. The level of improvements in aerobic exercise capacity following HIIT are similar to moderate-intensity continuous training, but only require a fraction of the total energy and time commitment. Little research has been done on HIIT in persons with SCI, who are unable to carry out conventional lower limb HIIT exercises. An upper extremity form of HIIT that is effective, safe, and quick could be an attractive option for these individuals. The study will look at feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week HIIT program for persons with a spinal cord injury who are untrained.

Investigators will test 10 untrained individuals with SCI/D who use a manual wheelchair full time. Prior to any testing, participants will be screened and will need to obtain a signed medical release from their physician. The screening involves asking the participant the inclusion/exclusion criteria and administering two short questionnaires related to physical activity. After obtaining the release form, participants will be scheduled for their first visit. During Visit 1, baseline testing and questionnaires will be completed. The study questionnaires will address sociodemographics, pain and health measures, general health, and physical activity. Exercise testing includes an aerobic exercise stress test (conducted following American College of Sports Medicine guidelines using an electronic ergometer) and an anaerobic (maximum power output) test. After Visit 1, participants will exercise three times per week for six weeks, following a standard HIIT protocol. Two of those sessions will be supervised by a trainer, and one session will be completed on their own. After six weeks, participants will be scheduled for Visit 2 and will complete the same evaluations as Visit 1. Additionally, participants will complete evaluations on their level of satisfaction of the training program and their likelihood to continue.

Eligible participants will be sent a physician release form to be signed prior to study initiation. Upon receipt, the participant will be scheduled for their Visit 1, Baseline Visit and will be given the following instructions:

Do not participate in any strenuous physical activity 24 hours prior to testing.

Do not eat a large meal 4 hours prior to testing, however a light snack is okay.

Do not drink alcohol or caffeine 4 hours prior to testing. No smoking 1 hour prior to testing. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that is easy to exercise in.

Visit 1: Baseline Visit

After written informed consent has been obtained, participants will be asked to complete study questionnaires and perform baseline exercise tests. Participants will be asked complete the following questionnaires:

Demographics questionnaire: May include information such as disability type, level of SCI, years with disability, age, gender, and information about their wheelchair.

Numerical Rating Scale (NRS): Participants will complete this scale once for each upper limb joint (wrist, elbow and shoulder). Participants will be asked to rate their average, most severe, and least severe wrist, elbow and shoulder pain during the last 24 hours using an 11 point scale (i.e. 0-10) anchored at the ends by "no pain" and "worst pain ever experienced." An 11-point NRS measure of intensity allows for comparison across clinical trials of pain treatment and is recommended as a core outcome measure for chronic pain clinical trials. NRS pain measures are widely used and have been shown to be valid and reliable assessments of pain.

Wheelchair Users Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI): This is a 15 item, self-report instrument that measures shoulder pain intensity, within the last week, in wheelchair users during various functional daily activities such as transfers, leading a wheelchair into a car, wheelchair mobility, dressing, bathing, overhead lifting, driving, performing household chores and sleeping. The WUSPI is a valid and reliable measure of shoulder pain. Test-retest reliability of the total index score was 0.99 and Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency) was 0.98.

Short Form Health Survey Walk Wheel (SF-36 WW): A 36-item general health and function questionnaire that has been validated for persons with SCI. The SF-36 is a brief, multi-dimensional, self-report health questionnaire that measures eight concepts: physical functioning, role limitation due to physical problems, bodily pain, general perception of health, vitality, social function, role limitation due to emotional problems and mental health.

Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD): The PASIPD is a 13-item self-report instrument covering (1) leisure activities, (2) household activities, (3) occupational activities and (4) light, moderate, and strenuous sport and recreational activities. The scale asks individuals to report how many days and hours per week that they spend participating in these various physical activities and a total score is calculated that is expressed in a metabolic equivalent (MET). The maximum possible score on the PASIPD total score is 199.5 MET.

Height and weight will be taken. Subjects will transfer to a mat table where they will lay on their backs. In this position, we will measure their height with a measuring tape. Weight will be calculated using a wheelchair scale as the difference between the weight of the participant in their wheelchair and the weight of the wheelchair alone.

Following completion of all study questionnaires, participants will begin exercise testing administered by an exercise physiologist and directly supervised by a physician. The tests are outlined in further detail below:

Maximal aerobic exercise test: the purpose of this test is to evaluate cardiac function and fitness and determine peak power output (PPO). PPO will later be used to set an individualized goal for the HIIT protocol. Prior to starting the maximal exercise testing, participants will be fitted with a mask that analyzes the inhaled and exhaled air (also known as "open circuit spirometry"). Cardiorespiratory measures (i.e., heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, pulmonary ventilation, carbon dioxide expiration, etc.) will be recorded throughout this test. Heart rate will be collected using the same heart rate monitor that will be worn during the in-home exercise portion of the study. The heart rate monitors will be worn around the chest in area under the heart. Participants will be able to use a private space to put the heart rate monitor on prior to staring the study. A member of the study team will verify the heart rate monitor is placed properly. Prior to beginning the maximal exercise test, the Borg and Wheel Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales will be presented to participants. RPE scales rate how hard a person feels their body is working and is an accepted supplementary tool for prescribing exercise programs in both healthy and special populations. Throughout the test, the participant will be asked to report their RPE by pointing to the corresponding number on the scales. The exercise test will be administered using an incremental modified Bruce protocol on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. The Bruce protocol outlines speeds and inclines to test cardiopulmonary function and health. The protocol outlines specific time increments and the settings for the treadmill to ensure a maximal aerobic capacity is achieved. This protocol will be modified for an arm ergometer, where the resistance on the ergometer and the revolutions per minute (RPMs) will be modified instead of incline and speed. The settings on the ergometer will attempt to match the incremental changes outlined in the Bruce protocol. Initially, resistance will be set at 25W, and then increased by 25W every 2 minutes until the subject can no longer continue or until their respiratory exchange ratio exceeds 1.15.

Maximum power output test: the primary purpose of this test is to evaluate the highest amount of power that the participant can produce in a short period of time. Other measures include heart rate, blood pressure, relative peak power, anaerobic capacity and anaerobic fatigue. This test will use the same ergometer as the maximal aerobic exercise test. Initially, the resistance will be set at zero and increased over the duration of the test. The participant will initially crank on the cycle with minimal resistance for about thirty seconds, then the resistance will be increased to a maximal level. Participants will crank for as long and as hard as they are able to for another thirty seconds. The participant will be asked to complete this process up to three separate times, with a minimum of 30 seconds of rest in between. After the test is completed, the resistance will return to zero and the participants will cycle at a comfortable pace to cool down.

Following completion of the exercise tests, the study team will introduce the participant to the type of exercises that will be performed for the study. They will be able to use the ergometer in the lab to try out a brief HIIT protocol.

6-Week HIIT Protocol: If the participant owns a handcycle, investigators will attempt to fit their handcycle to the roller system. The study team will provide a handcycle those that do not fit the roller system or individuals who do not own one. If a participant is uncomfortable using a handcycle, or is unable to transfer into the handcycle, the study team will provide a tabletop ergometer. At the end of the study the handcycle or tabletop ergometer and the roller system will be returned to the study team. Participants will be given a heart rate monitor, which they will be asked to wear and use for every exercise session for the duration of the study. They do not have to return the heart rate monitor at the end of the study. Participants will be provided with a bike computer that will be fit to the handcycle/ergometer and will be used for recording power output and heart rate during the exercise sessions. Participants must return the bike computer at the end of the study.

The first exercise visit will be scheduled within one week of the first study visit. Exercise sessions will be scheduled 3 times per week (every other weekday), with the total training protocol lasting 6 weeks. Two of the sessions will be supervised by a trainer and one session will be completed on their own. During the last week (week 6), subjects can opt to have their supervised sessions via FaceTime or Skype (if they have a smartphone or computer). The participant exercise goal is to achieve 10 sets of 60 second bouts of arm cycling at 90% of their PPO (as determined in baseline testing), separated by 60 seconds of active recovery.

(A) Supervised exercise sessions: the trainer will meet the participant at their home for each supervised exercise session. Prior to exercise, the trainer will measure/record the participant's heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, the trainer will make sure that there haven't been any recent changes in health or medical status.

The trainer will guide the participant through a warm-up and stretching routine prior to exercising (approximately 10 minutes). The participant will be familiarized with the same Borg and Wheel RPE scales used during Visit 1, and the Feeling Scale. The Feeling Scale (-5 very bad to +5 very good) is commonly used to measure affective response during exercise.

The trainer will prescribe individualized work and rest phases based on their maximal aerobic test PPO. To reach their HIIT goal, trainers will hold participants at 90% PPO as a constant target intensity to start, shortening the work phase (e.g. 10-15 seconds), and if necessary, lengthening the recovery phase (e.g. 75-90 seconds). These ramping parameters will be progressed and documented by the trainer for each session. The trainer will determine when to change their work and rest parameters based off heart rate and self-reported RPE.

At the end of each session, the trainer will measure/record the participant's heart rate and blood pressure again. Power output and heart rate data is automatically stored in the bike computer during each exercise session to track adherence to the prescribed HIIT intensities.

(B) Unsupervised exercise sessions: participants will be asked to repeat the same HIIT protocol they performed during the previous supervised session. The trainer will provide written directions. Participants will be instructed to wear the heart rate monitor so that during the next supervised exercise session, the trainer will be able to retrieve/collect the data to store on one of our study devices for future analysis. The heart rate data as well as power output data will automatically be stored on the device in the same manner as during the supervised sessions. At the next supervised session the trainer will retrieve the data from the device.

Visit 2:

After completing the 6-week HIIT program, participants will be scheduled for a second/final lab visit. Visit 2 will be scheduled within one week or up to two weeks after finishing the 6-week HIIT program, but to provide scheduling flexibility, participants have up to two weeks to complete their second visit. Investigators will try to schedule the follow-up exercise testing around the same time of day as Visit 1. Participants will complete the same exercise testing protocol that was completed in Visit 1. Participants will also complete the NRS, WUSPI, and SF-36 WW questionnaires from Visit 1and will be asked to complete a survey regarding their satisfaction with the program using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Finally, participants will be provided with an open-ended questionnaire to discuss their feelings about HIIT, likelihood to continue, and support needs to help them (or others like them) keep doing HIIT.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. SCI/D which occurred at least 6 months prior to the start of the study
2. uses a manual wheelchair as primary means of mobility (30+ hours per week)
3. is between 18 and 65 years of age
4. Weighs less than 250lbs
5. lives within one hour driving time from the research center
6. is able to perform a transfer independently to and from a wheelchair
7. has adequate strength and upper extremity function to operate a handcycle or arm ergometer
8. has adequate space in a safe location (i.e., home, work) to accommodate a handcycle or tabletop ergometer
9. Receipt of a signed physicians medical release form

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of fractures or dislocations in the upper extremity from which the participant has not fully recovered
2. Upper limb pain or injury that interferes with the ability to perform aerobic exercise
3. No current or recent (last 6 months) participation in a structured fitness program
4. Recent hospitalization for any reason (within the past three months)
5. Pregnant women
6. History of coronary artery disease, coronary bypass surgery or other cardiorespiratory events or conditions
7. Likely to experience clinically significant autonomic dysreflexia and/ or orthostatic hypotension in response to vigorous exercise
8. Any other conditions that the persons primary care physician deems is a contraindication to participation in arm ergometry exercise stress testing or vigorous exercise