High Intensity Functional Training for Individuals With Neurologic Diagnoses and Their Care Partners

High Intensity Functional Training for Individuals With Neurologic Diagnoses and Their Care Partners: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study

Individuals with and without neurologic diagnoses greatly benefit from participation in regular exercise but the majority are physically inactive. This is an issue for both them and their care partners as their health is often linked. This study aims to examine the long-term physical and psychosocial effects of structured, group-based, high intensity functional training (HIFT) exercise for people with neurologic diagnoses and their care partners.

Over the course of two years, this study will provide no-cost, twice weekly, group-based, HIFT exercise for people with neurologic diagnoses and their care partners. All participants will be required to have physician or advanced practice provider clearance to exercise. All participants will be evaluated by a physical therapist at no-cost prior to beginning the intervention to assess eligibility for the study. All eligible participants will complete a demographics questionnaire, questionnaires regarding physical and psychosocial health, and a battery of physical tests assessing mobility, strength, endurance, and balance. Participants' physical activity levels will also be monitored throughout the study through accelerometers.

Participants will participate in a maximum of twice weekly HIFT exercise for up to 2 years. All exercise programming will be led by licensed physical therapists with assistance from Doctor of Physical Therapy students. All exercise staff will be Cardiopulmonary resuscitation/basic life support certified and an automated external defibrillator will be available onsite. Exercise classes will utilize HIFT, which includes various exercises that are functional and to be performed at a high intensity. Exercises will include aerobic, resistance, and/or balance training and align with the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must be at least 18 years of age
• Participants must be able to communicate and read in English
• Participants must have physician and/or advanced practice provider clearance to exercise
• Participants must have a neurologic diagnosis (e.g., spinal cord injury, Parkinson's, brain injury, stroke, poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, etc.) OR participants must be care partner of a person with neurologic diagnosis.
• Participants must possess at least 4/5 elbow flexion strength bilaterally
• Participants must be able to locomote independently (i.e., ambulate or propel a manual or power wheelchair independently).
• Participants must provide their own transportation to/from the research study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants will be excluded if they fail to meet any of the inclusion requirements