Effects of Body Weight Squats on Balance and Upright Mobility in Participants with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Few exercise interventions have been designed to improve the lower body strength of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Such improvements could improve balance and upright mobility. Objective: To determine the effects of a 6week resistance training program using body weight squats (BWS) on measures of balance and upright mobility in participants with SCI. Design and Setting: A singlecase design with no between subjects comparison was utilized. Testing and training occurred in an exercise facility used by participants with SCI. Subjects: Three males and one female with incomplete SCI participated in the case report. Two of the males and the female were classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) functional category C and the other male was classified as functional category D. Intervention: Participants trained 3 days/week for 6 weeks using 3 sets of 10 reps of BWS. Measurements: The three outcome measures included a modified Timed Up and Go Test (mTUG), the Berg Balance Scale, and the Sit to Stand Test. Results: All participants completed the training, attending a minimum of twice per week, without injury or complaint of pain. Each participant demonstrated marked improvement in all outcome measures. Conclusion: Resistance training using BWS can improve lower body strength in individuals with incomplete SCI which in turn can improve their balance and upright mobility.