Body
The nervous system is thought to be most responsive to training during a limited period after spinal cord injury, but the timing of that period is not defined. This trial delivers the same dose of high-intensity walking training during the acute, subacute, or chronic phase after injury.
It follows walking outcomes for one year, including walking speed, endurance, and community ambulation. Holding the training constant and varying only its timing isolates the effect of when training is delivered. The results will indicate the phase in which locomotor training produces the largest and most durable gains.