Cardiovascular disease is a major long-term risk of spinal cord
injury. SCI individuals live in general rather sedentary lives and
are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease than the able-bodied
population. Therefore, careful assessment of cardiovascular function
and the encouragement of exercise programs are appropriate and necessary
long-term aspects of spinal cord injury management and care. The
prescription of upper extremity exercise programs in spinal cord-injured
individuals are similar to those used in other populations with
the exception of the use of adaptive equipment such as racing wheelchairs
or mono-skis.
