Cardioprotective Benefit of Passive Heat Therapy in Higher-Level Spinal Cord Injury: Safety and Proof of Concept

Inclusion Criteria: * sedentary to active individuals living with a spinal cord injury and have injury level between T7 and C4 (of any AIS level)\* * at least 2 years post-injury\* * be able to do a level transfer with minimal assistance\* * engaged in a regular and consistent bowel/bladder management program\* * be 19 years of age or older * be able to communicate effectively in English * If present, self-reported well controlled/predictable orthostatic hypertension and/or autonomic dysreflexia\* * be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (initial 2 doses and 1 booster) * these criteria do not apply to the non-SCI controls Exclusion Criteria: * smoke/use tobacco products * have any cardiac/respiratory illness or diabetes mellitus * known diverticulitis * hypertensive (Systolic Blood Pressure \>140 mmHg and/or Diastolic Blood Pressure \>190 mmHg) * scheduled MRI investigation in the 7 days following the data collection session * take prescription medications that affect blood vessels, other than contraceptives * have used an erectile dysfunction related medication (e.g., Viagra or Cialis) in the past 48 hours * have unhealed fracture, or contracture, that would interfere with a simple chair to tub transfer and/or donning/doffing clothing * have an unhealed pressure sore of any grade and/or open skin areas * have unstable medical/psychiatric condition or substance abuse disorder that is likely to affect their ability to complete this study * have underlying health conditions…