Examining the Effects of Live Telehealth Exercise Training on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Wheelchair Users

The purpose of the study is to test the benefits of a 24-week exercise program for reversing heart, blood, and blood vessels health risk causes, also referred to as cardiometabolic risk factors, in adult wheelchair users. The targeted cardiometabolic health factors are waist circumference, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure. Additionally, a second phase of 12 weeks is included to test how well an online version of the program is for maintaining physical activity levels.

Inclusion Criteria:full-time or part-time use of a wheelchair device (manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, electric scooter) self-reported as the primary means of mobility≥ 2 cardiometabolic risk factor(s),no contraindication to exercise as informed by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) (any contraindication will be reviewed by the participant's physician as a secondary approval method)age ≥18 yearsable to use arms to exerciseobtaining < 90 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week in the last monthnot enrolled in a structured exercise program in the past 6 monthsable to converse and read in English.Exclusion Criteria:medically unstable to perform home exercise as determined by their physicianhigh level tetraplegia and unable to use arms to exerciseno internet access determined via self-report and internet speed test.