Hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation Exercise Training Alters the Relationship Between Spinal Cord Injury Level and Aerobic Capacity

This study investigated whether a specific type of exercise, hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation Row Training (FES-RT), could improve the aerobic capacity of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The researchers wanted to see if this training would lessen the impact of the SCI level on their ability to perform aerobic activities. The study involved participants with complete SCI from T3 to T11 who underwent six months of FES-RT. The results showed that FES-RT significantly increased both peak aerobic capacity and peak exercise ventilation. Before the training, a strong link existed between the level of SCI and aerobic capacity, but this link weakened after FES-RT. This suggests that FES-RT can help people with SCI improve their aerobic capacity regardless of the severity of their spinal cord lesion.

• 1
  FES-RT significantly increased VO2peak and VEpeak (both p<0.05).
• 2
  Prior to FES-RT, there was a close relationship between level of spinal cord injury and VO2peak (adj r2=0.40, p=0.009) that was markedly reduced after FES-RT (adj r2=0.15, p=0.10).
• 3
  The increased aerobic capacity reflects more than increased ventilation; FES_RT effectively circumvents the effect of the spinal cord injury on peak aerobic capacity by engaging more muscle mass for training, independent of level of injury.