Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the functional electrical stimulated (FES) cycling volume
necessary to reach the recommended weekly exercise caloric expenditure of
1000-2200 kcal in FES-trained subjects with paraplegia. SUBJECTS: Eight (7 males,
1 female) FES-trained subjects with traumatic motor and sensory complete
paraplegia (AIS A, lesion level between Th3 and Th9) of at least 3 years duration
were included. METHODS: Subjects performed an FES-training session at the highest
workload they were able to sustain for 60 min. During the training session
respiratory gas exchange was measured, which allowed the calculation of mean fat
and carbohydrate oxidation rates, and of total energy expenditure by means of
indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: Subjects revealed a mean energy expenditure of 288
(standard deviation 104) kcal/h. This corresponded to a mean oxidation rate of
49.5 (standard deviation 35.2) g/h for carbohydrate and 8.5 (standard deviation
8.4) g/hour for fat. Thus, 4-8 hours of FES-cycling are necessary to reach the
recommended weekly exercise caloric expenditure of 1000-2200 kcal. CONCLUSION:
FES-cycling appears to be a feasible and promising training alternative to upper
body exercise for subjects with spinal cord injury. Four to 8 h of FES-cycling
are necessary to reach the recommended weekly exercise caloric expenditure that
seems to be essential to induce persistent health benefits.

Langue : ANGLAIS