Functional electrical stimulation leg cycle ergometer exercise: training effects on cardiorespiratory responses of spinal cord injured subjects at rest and during submaximal exercise
Faghri, P.D.; Glaser, R.M.; Figoni, S.F.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 73(11): 1085-1093
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9993 PMID: 1444777 Document Number: 401015
This study investigated the cardiorespiratory (CR) responses at rest and during submaximal (0-W) functional electrical stimulation (FES)- induced leg cycle ergometer (LCE) exercise prior to and following a progressive intensity FES-LCE-a exercise training program in spinal cord injured (SCI) subjects. Seven quadriplegics and six paraplegics participated in FES-LCE training three sessions per week for approximately 12 weeks (36 sessions). Monitored CR responses, including oxygen uptake ( ovrhdot VO-2), pulmonary ventilation ( ovrhdot VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), arteriovenous O-2 difference (a- hivin vO-2), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and cardiac output ( ovrhdot Q), were determined before and after training. Power output (PO) increased significant (p lt .05) over the duration of the training program, indicating increased in strength and endurance of the paralyzed muscles used. Respiratory responses were not significantly alterd by training in both groups. FES-LCE training significantly increased resting HR and SBP in quadriplegics and lowered SBP, DBP, and MAP in paraplegics. In both groups, HR and BP during submaximal exercise significantly decreased and SV and ovrhdot Q significantly increased after completion of the training program. These results suggest that FES-LCE training improves periperal muscular and central cardiovascular fitness in SCI subjects. Posttraining HR and BP may also be more stable in quadriplegics annd alleviate hypoptension. This therapeutic exercise may ultimately lead to improved rehabilitation outcome and reduced stress during activities of daily living, and possibly reduce the risks for secondary CR disabilities.