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Thank you Chacon and Chopek for your interest in our recently published study and the insightful comments about the possible role of spared sympathetic function for exercise adaptations in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). While this letter serves to discuss some of the points raised, we would also like to take this opportunity to clarify a few statements related to our study design and results. As correctly pointed out in the letter to the editor, a SCI not only results in sensorimotor function deficits below the neurological level of injury (NLI), it also interrupts normal autonomic nervous system function, including alterations to cardiovascular control. It is thus indisputable that retainment of sympathetic nervous system function is critical for a variety of exercise and health-related outcomes, including the normal hemodynamic adjustments to exercise that ensure redistribution of blood flow and O2 to the active muscles …