Efficacy of a fitness centre-based exercise programme compared with a home-based exercise programme in traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled trial.

Hassett LM, Moseley AM, Tate RL, Harmer AR, Fairbairn TJ, Leung J

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a supervised fitness centre-based exercise programme with an unsupervised home-based exercise programme on cardiorespiratory fitness and psychosocial functioning in people with traumatic brain injury. The fitness centre group completed a combined fitness and strength training exercise programme supervised by a personal trainer in a local fitness centre 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The home group completed a similar exercise programme unsupervised at home. Both groups improved in fitness: the maximal velocity achieved on the modified 20-m shuttle test increased with intervention and was maintained at follow-up. However, the difference between groups was not significant. There were also no between-group differences in psychosocial functioning at the end of intervention or at follow-up.

Both a supervised fitness centre-based exercise programme and an unsupervised home-based exercise programme were equally effective at improving cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with traumatic brain injuries.

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2009, 41(4), 247-55

Link to Abstract