Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition that results from the interruption of the motor and sensory tracts of the spinal cord, causing deficits in functional abilities. Interventions that aim to improve the functional capacity of these individuals should be applied, and functional training (FT) is one possibility.

To investigate the effect of eight weeks of FT on the functional capacity of individuals with SCI.

A prospective cohort study was carried out with 14 individuals with SCI who participated in a physical exercise program based on the FT model. The FT was performed once a week, lasting 60 minutes, and included strength, balance, and other exercises necessary for the development of functional capacities. The functional capacity was evaluated with the Motor Test Battery related to Functional Independence, composed of the tests: suspension for five seconds (0 to 3 points); transfer from wheelchair to another seat (0 or 1 point); biceps muscle endurance in 30 seconds (0 to 3 points, and number of repetitions); triceps muscle endurance in 30 seconds (0 to 3 points, and number of repetitions); lateral functional reach (0 to 2 points, and distance in cm), lower lateral (0 to 2 points), frontal (0 to 5 points; and distance in cm), and with trunk rotation (0 to 2 points); step transposition (0 to 3 points); and chair touch for 400 meters (0 to 3 points, and travel time). After the sum of the test scores, the individuals were classified as: "complete dependence" (0 to 6 points), "moderate autonomy" (7 to 13 points), "high autonomy" (14 to 20 points), and "total autonomy" (21 to 27 points). Assessments were conducted at T0 (all participants were returning to FT activities after the flexibilization of social distancing measures due to COVID-19) and at T1 (after eight weeks of FT). Results were presented as median and interquartile range (IQR), and comparisons between T0 and T1 were made with Wilcoxon's test [p-value and effect size (ES)] (α=5%; JASP 0.16.4).

Participants were mostly male (n=11; 76%), aged 50 (IQR=13) years, and had SCI for 17 (IQR=22,3) years. At T0, 21% (n=3) were classified as having "moderate autonomy", and 79% (n=11) as "total autonomy". After the eight weeks, all participants (100%; n=14) were classified as "full autonomy." A statistically significant increase was observed in overall battery score (T0= 21.5; IQR=5 vs. T1=23.5; IQR=4,25; p=0.045; ES = 0.550) and in lateral functional reach distance (T0=23.0 IQR=10 vs. T1=29.0; IQR=8,5; p=0.035; ES= 0.572) cm, and without statistical significance in muscle endurance of biceps (T0= 23; IQR=10,8 vs. T1=25; IQR=7,5; p=0.131; ES= 0.413) and triceps (T0= 25; IQR=14,5 vs. T1=28; IQR=10; p=0.054; ES= 0.523).

Eight weeks of FT were associated with improvements in functional capacity in individuals with SCI.

Although the study design used here i.e., prospective cohort, is not the most recommended for investigating the effects of interventions, FT seems to be an effective strategy for improving the functional capacity of individuals with SCI, and therefore can be incorporated into the rehabilitation of this group.