Benefits of sport and exercise in spinal cord injured patients

In recent decades, research suggests that exercise has become the one of the most important quantifiable means for functional recovery in spinal cord injured patients [1]. There is a current lack of effective treatment to restore nerve function damaged through spinal cord injury, meaning sport and exercise are crucial for patients to maintain and improve their post-accident physical capabilities, as well as promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.

Regular exercise plays a pivotal role in managing weight in spinal cord injured patients, and further key benefits include improved strength, endurance, cardiovascular health and fitness. Being involved in exercise on a regular basis can also help to reduce pain and spasticity suffered by people with spinal cord injuries.

In addition to physical health, exercise is well known to contribute to positive mental health through the release of endorphins in the brain. As well as the natural enhancement of a person’s mental health through exercise, being involved in sport can be a catalyst for greater participation in the community and the development of relationships for spinal cord injured patients. This is particularly relevant for people who may have experienced reduced mobility following an injury, or who are no longer able to leave the house without assistance.

In terms of driving participation in regular exercise for those suffering from spinal cord injuries, research shows that enjoyment is a significant factor in motivating people, who are more likely to engage in regular exercise if they enjoy the sport or activity being done^[2].

Despite the wide-ranging positive benefits of sport and exercise on spinal cord injured patients, those suffering are overwhelmingly more likely to be physically inactive than people without a spinal cord injury, particularly in the instances of injury resulting in disability. This is largely down to accessibility issues with sports facilities and adaptive aids and equipment being required for spinal cord injured patients to participate in certain sporting activities.

Clyde & Co’s Stoke Mandeville Experience Day on June 2026 in partnership with WheelPower will illustrate the transformative power of sport in rehabilitating claimants with spinal cord injuries, bringing together a number of insurers to participate in wheelchair and adaptive sports. WheelPower is the national charity for wheelchair sport in the UK and is dedicated to providing opportunities for disabled people to enjoy sport and live healthy and active lives.

Sources 

[1] Exercise Training Promotes Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury - PMC
[2] Motivational variations in fitness: a population study of exercise modalities, gender and relationship status - PMC