The Effect of Physical Activity on the Cardiometabolic Profile and Mental Health of People with Spinal Cord Injury

Authors

  • Christos Tsakonitis Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace
  • Ioannis Fatouros Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly
  • Sofia Mpatsiou Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace
  • Alexandra Avloniti Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace
  • Athanasios Poulios Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly
  • Konstantinos Margonis Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace
  • Kiriakos Taxildaris Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace
  • Athanasios Chatzinikolaou Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26253/heal.uth.ojs.ispe.2022.1699

Keywords:

spinal cord injury, physical activity, psychology, energy expenditure, inflammation, oxidative stress

Abstract

It is a fact that one of the main causes of mortality in people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is cardiovascular
diseases. These individuals show increased rates of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, which are indicators of cardiovascular diseases, due to hypoactivity and abstinence from physical activities. The purpose of this review was to examine the contribution of physical activity to reducing cardiometabolic risk and promoting mental health in people with SCI. The methodology followed was a literature review of 52 articles through the PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. From the review of the literature, it emerged that increasing (EE), from the participation of people with (SCI) in physical activities systematically and organized sports, such as basketball and wheelchair rugby, improved their maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), their lipid profile, increased the indices of exercise-induced inflammation as well as the indices of antioxidant capacity. The systematic participation in physical activities and sports, by people with (SCI), led to an increase in (ED), without additional burden on their immune system, contributing, both to the reduction of chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, and to their psychological upliftment, which plays a key role in the reintegration of these individuals into society.

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Published

2022-11-15

How to Cite

Tsakonitis Χ., Fatouros Ι., Mpatsiou Σ., Avloniti Α., Poulios Α., Margonis Κ., Taxildaris Κ., & Chatzinikolaou Α. (2022). The Effect of Physical Activity on the Cardiometabolic Profile and Mental Health of People with Spinal Cord Injury. Inquiries in Physical Education and Sport, 20(3), 180–189. https://doi.org/10.26253/heal.uth.ojs.ispe.2022.1699

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