Hybrid functional electrical stimulation exercise training alters the relationship between spinal cord injury level and aerobic capacity

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Study assessed aerobic capacity during hybrid functional electrical stimulation (FES) row training in 14 volunteers with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and assessed the relationships among lesion level, aerobic capacity, and peak ventilation before and after 6 months of FES row training. Peak aerobic capacity and peak exercise ventilation was measured before and after 6 months of FES row training, which was preceded by a variable period of FES strength training. Results indicated that FES row training significantly increased peak aerobic capacity and peak minute ventilation. Prior to FES row training, there was a close relationship between level of SCI and peak aerobic capacity that was markedly reduced after FES row training. In contrast, the relation between level of injury and peak minute ventilation was comparable before and after FES row training. The findings suggest that increased aerobic capacity reflects more than increased ventilation; FES row training effectively circumvents the effect of SCI on peak aerobic capacity by engaging more muscle mass for training, independent of the level of injury.

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