EFFECTS OF FUNCTIONAL ELECTRIC STIMULATION CYCLE ERGOMETRY TRAINING ON LOWER LIMB MUSCULATURE IN ACUTE SCI INDIVIDUALS

Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2005 · DOI: · Published: September 1, 2005

Spinal Cord Injury Physiology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigated the impact of early functional electric stimulation cycle ergometry (FES-CE) on muscle health in individuals with recent spinal cord injuries (SCI). The research focused on how this intervention affected muscle size and power. The study compared SCI patients who underwent FES-CE training with those who didn't, and also with a control group of uninjured individuals. Muscle biopsies were analyzed to assess changes in muscle fiber size. The key finding was that FES-CE training, when started shortly after the injury, helped to prevent muscle loss and improve power output compared to the group that did not receive this intervention.

Study Duration

13 weeks

Participants

10 motor complete SCI patients and 5 uninjured controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Without intervention, muscle fiber cross sectional area (CSAf ) decreased 38% and 65% at 6 and 19 weeks post-SCI, respectively.
2
Following 13 weeks of FES-CE training, CSAf increased was 63% greater when compared to the IC group.
3
Power output increased from 2.4 ± .88 Watts to 24.5 ± 3.2 Watts in the FES-CE trained group.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effect of early FES-CE intervention on skeletal muscle morphology in traumatic SCI patients 4–6 weeks after injury, comparing them to SCI controls and uninjured controls. The results indicated that FES-CE training attenuated the loss of muscle mass and increased power output compared to the injured control group, demonstrating a 63% greater CSAf after 13 weeks of training. The study concludes that early intervention with FES-CE after SCI is more effective in preserving muscle mass and power output than interventions in chronic SCI, highlighting the potential for further development of training protocols.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Early implementation of FES-CE in SCI rehabilitation programs can help mitigate muscle atrophy.

Performance Enhancement

Modified FES-CE protocols incorporating sprint training might further enhance muscle strength and endurance.

Underlying Mechanisms

Further research should investigate optimal stimulation parameters to maximize muscle adaptation in SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the generalizability of the study.
2
Inclusion criteria (motor complete injury) limited the recruitment pool.
3
Injury-related issues and transportation difficulties posed barriers to subject recruitment.

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