The Effects of Eccentric Compared to Standard Strength Training in Primary Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older. * informed consent as confirmed per signature. * traumatic or disease-related SCI. * participating in the routine strength training program during primary SCI rehabilitation at the study center (generally this is initiated around one month after SCI onset). * wheelchair dependency during activities of daily living, defined by a score of 0-2 in the SCIM subsection regarding "Mobility in the house". * passed sports medical assessment and having sufficient biceps/triceps function to perform arm-crank training, as determined by an experienced sports medicine physician Exclusion Criteria: * inflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases (including multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome). * comorbidities or other health issues that may interfere with study participation, inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention. * MRI contraindications (magnetic metal parts or electronic implants such as pacemakers in the body). * pregnancy (anamnestic).