Endurance neuromuscular electrical stimulation training improves skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in individuals with motor-complete spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to muscle atrophy and reduced oxidative capacity. This study investigates whether endurance training with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can reverse these effects and improve muscle health. Participants with complete SCI underwent 16 weeks of home-based NMES training of their knee extensor muscles. The study measured changes in muscle oxidative capacity, composition, and blood profiles before and after the training. The study found that endurance training improved muscle oxidative capacity. However, the NMES training did not change blood metabolic and lipid profiles in the participants.

• 1
  The study found a significant average improvement of 119% in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity following the 16-week endurance NMES training program.
• 2
  There were no significant changes observed in muscle composition, including muscle area, fat area, and intramuscular fat percentage, as a result of the NMES training.
• 3
  The study noted a small but statistically significant reduction in HbA1C levels after NMES training, suggesting a potential positive impact on blood sugar control.