ANALYSIS OF CARDIAC AUTONOMIC MODULATION, BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS AND SLEEP QUALITY IN WHEELCHAIR USERS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY AND STRENGTH TRAINING

Background: Spinal cord injury (LM) above T6 is followed by a loss of supraspinal sympathetic control of the heart, disrupting autonomic balance and increasing cardiovascular risk. Objective: To evaluate cardiac autonomic modulation, biochemical markers, and sleep quality in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury and strength training. Methods: A 12-week cross-sectional study included 50 male participants aged between 20 and 52 years. With the evaluation of anthropometric measurements and body composition, Biochemical evaluation, Measurement of blood pressure, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Injury Level, Assessment of the heart rate variability. Results: they point to a better HRV behavior in the wheelchair basketball (WCB) and wheelchair basketball + strength training (WCBS) groups to wheelchair control (WC).  These data indicate that basketball practice and strength exercise combined with basketball practice can positively affect autonomic modulation. Conclusion: The practice of basketball, associated with resistance training, may improve hemodynamic, metabolic, and autonomic parameters.