Exercise guidelines and getting started

International experts developed guidelines using research review, consensus, stakeholder input, and formal evaluation. The development process followed recognized guideline standards.

Guidelines distinguish aerobic and strength activity for fitness from aerobic activity for cardiometabolic health. The fitness recommendation combines aerobic sessions with strength work; the cardiometabolic recommendation calls for more weekly aerobic activity.

Cardiometabolic health concerns disease risk; fitness concerns heart and lung capacity, while strength concerns muscle force. These outcomes require different measurements, such as blood tests, exercise testing, and assessments of muscle force.

The recommendations describe minimum activity thresholds; progression and suitability depend on personal circumstances. The intended population is adults aged 18–64 with chronic SCI at C3 or below. These targets concern planned exercise beyond incidental daily movement; evidence about risks above the guidelines is insufficient.