Participants

We aimed to recruit 11 participants, based on an a priori sample size calculation (Cohen’s d = 0.97, α = 0.05, ß = 0.80), to detect a significant difference in the total postprandial triglyceride response between the HIIE and the no-exercise control condition (20). A total of 13 individuals with chronic paraplegia agreed to take part in this randomized crossover study, two participants were withdrawn due to difficulties with venous cannulation, and one participant withdrew due to a lack of time, leaving a total of 10 participants (8 males and 2 females) completing all components of the study. Participant descriptive characteristics are presented in Table ​Table11.

Participant characteristics (n = 10).

Data are presented as mean ± SD.

AIS, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale; LOI, level of injury; TSI, time since injury; BMI, body mass index; PAL, physical activity level; V˙O_2peak, peak oxygen uptake; HOMA2-IR, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance.

Participants were eligible to participate if they met all the following criteria: between 18 and 65 yr old, chronic (>1 yr postinjury) spinal cord lesion at or below the second thoracic level, self-reported wheelchair use of >75% of waking day in individuals with motor-incomplete injuries, and body mass not changed by >3% over the previous 3 months. Individuals who self-reported the use of lipid-lowering agents and/or antihyperglycemic drugs, type 2 diabetes mellitus medication, active medial issues (including pressure sores, urinary tract infection, and upper-body musculoskeletal issues), or contraindications to exercise testing were excluded.