The comparison of traditional exercises & body weight supported training (BWST) exercises on bone density in paraplegic spinal cord injured persons

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of traditional exercises and body weight supported training (BWSTT) exercises on functional ambulation profile in paraplegic spinal cord injured people. 17 individuals with paraplegic spinal cord injury (ASIA B،C classification) having average of SCI history 14 months، age 32. 53 ± 1. 793 years، height 175. 71 ± 1. 658 cm، weight 71. 59 ± 2. 442 kg، and body mass index (BMI) 23. 18 ± 0. 828 kg/m2 were selected. The subjects were randomly assigned to BWSTT group (N=10) and Traditional exercises group (N=7). The subjects trained for 12 weeks، four times per week and 60 min per session. BWSTT included 15 min warm-up on fixed gear bike، 45 min BWSTT with 50% body weight and 10 min cold-down finally. 10% load was added each week. Traditional exercises included 15 min warm-up plus 45 min stretch and resistance exercises، walking with parallel and 10 min cold-down finally. data showed that there were significant differences in serum Alkanline phosphatase، Osteocalcine، Bone mineral content (BMC) of the femoral neck، Bone mineral density (BMD) at femoral neck، Bone mineral content (BMC) at the lumbar spine، Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine between BWSTT and traditional groups. BWSTT training may reduce bone loss in paraplegic persons and may be prescribed as an effective intervention for treatment of osteoporosis.