Effect of Adapted Ergometer Setup and Rowing Speed on Lower Extremity Loading in People with and Without Spinal Cord Injury

Bioengineering, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12010075 · Published: January 15, 2025

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

Functional electrical stimulation-assisted rowing is used to prevent disuse osteoporosis in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The effect on bone loss prevention varied, potentially due to inconsistent loading. This study investigates how the setup of the rowing machine and rowing speed affect the forces on the lower extremities during rowing, both for able-bodied individuals and someone with a spinal cord injury. The findings can inform rehabilitation protocols to standardize ergometer configuration to improve bone health.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

20 able-bodied adults and 1 participant with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Able-bodied rowers generated 0.22–0.45 body weight foot reaction forces, and higher forces were associated with faster speeds, a forward seat position, and a large knee range of motion.
2
The rower with SCI had the greatest foot reaction force (0.39 BW) when rowing with a small knee RoM at a rear seat position.
3
The highest tibiofemoral force (2.23 BW) was observed with a large knee RoM or at a rear seat position in the rower with SCI.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effect of adapted rowing ergometer setup and speed on lower extremity loading in a group of able-bodied adults and a single participant with SCI. The hypotheses were supported that rowing speed, knee RoM, and seat position all affected lower extremity loading in able-bodied participants and the participant with SCI. Changing ergometer setup affected force production for both able-bodied people and the individual with SCI, but the setup that yielded the highest foot reaction forces and knee moments was different.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Protocols

The findings can inform rehabilitation protocols to standardize ergometer configuration to improve bone health in individuals with SCI.

Ergometer Design

Future research could focus on design characteristics of the rowing ergometer to allow trunk extension and flexion while maintaining upper body stability for users with SCI.

Individualized Setup

Rowing setups and forms should be considered during FES rowing at home or in clinical settings, particularly for heterogeneous SCI individuals.

Study Limitations

1
Only the right foot reaction force was measured.
2
Only one participant with SCI was tested, limiting the generalizability of the results.
3
Subject-specific anthropometry or muscle properties were not used in the musculoskeletal model due to a lack of full-body DXA and dynamic ultrasound imaging data.

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