Eﬀects of FES‐Rowing Exercise on the Time‐Dependent Changes in Bone Microarchitecture After Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross‐Sectional Investigation

JBMR Plus, 2019 · DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10200 · Published: September 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the effects of FES-rowing exercise on bone health in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). The researchers used HR-pQCT to assess bone microarchitecture in the distal tibia and radius. They aimed to determine if the amount of FES-rowing and time since injury (TSI) predict bone loss after SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

13 men with SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Time since injury (TSI) was not independently associated with tibial bone metrics in the FES-rowing group.
2
Trabecular vBMD and thickness were negatively associated with TSI and positively associated with distance rowed.
3
Regular FES-rowing may alter the time-dependent negative effects of SCI on trabecular bone density and microstructure.

Research Summary

This cross-sectional study evaluated bone microstructure in men with SCI who regularly trained with FES-rowing. The study found that trabecular bone density and microstructure were negatively associated with time since injury and positively associated with rowing distance. The results suggest that FES-rowing may have the capacity to alter the time-dependent bone negative effects of SCI on trabecular bone.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

FES-rowing may be a beneficial exercise for mitigating bone loss in individuals with SCI, particularly when initiated early after injury.

Exercise Prescription

Emphasis on maximizing rowing distance may be more critical than focusing solely on peak foot force to improve trabecular bone health.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to determine the optimal FES-rowing parameters and to evaluate the long-term effects of FES-rowing on bone health and fracture risk in the SCI population.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of a control group of individuals with SCI that are not FES-rowing.
2
Heterogeneity of the study population with a wide age range and injury levels.
3
HR-pQCT scanner restricted to the ultradistal sites of the appendicular skeleton.

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