The Spinal Cord Injury + Physical Activity program of research is concerned with understanding the effects of exercise on recovery, health and well-being after spinal cord injury. Multi-centre randomised controlled clinical trials will examine the effectiveness of very early intervention for the lower limbs, task-specific training for the arm and hand, and an intensive activity-based therapy program for the whole body including the paralysed limbs. A Certificate Training Program to improve the knowledge and confidence of fitness instructors in the community regarding exercise for people with spinal cord injury will also be designed and evaluated.

The program will be evaluated using a comprehensive suite of outcome measures, including neurophysiological and functional assessments to examine the effects on multiple systems (neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular), as well as quality of life, and measures of community participation. Economic analyses will be conducted to evaluate cost-effectiveness.