Article

This feasibility study compared the plasma inflammation-mediating cytokine
response to an acute bout of handcycling (HC) with and without the addition of
functional electrical stimulation (FES)-evoked lower-limb cycling. On two
separate occasions, five recreationally active, community-based participants with
motor complete paraplegia (thoracic 5- 7) performed 30 min HC and hybrid exercise
(HYB) at a fixed power output. Venous blood samples were collected at rest,
immediately postexercise, 1 h postexercise (post+1) and 2 h postexercise
(post+2). Plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra),
adrenaline, and cortisol concentrations were determined via enzyme-linked
immunoassay. Plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly (p < 0.04) elevated
(~2.5-fold) at post+1 and post+2 in HYB only. A small (0.5-fold), nonsignificant
(p > 0.05) increase in IL-6 was observed at post+1 in HC, with concentrations
significantly higher in HYB at post+2 (p < 0.02). Plasma IL-1ra was unaffected in
both trials. Although not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.15), a ~1-fold
increase in IL-10 concentration was seen in HYB at post+2. In contrast, increases
in adrenaline (p < 0.04) and cortisol (p = 0.08) were observed immediately
postexercise in HC and HYB. Initial findings suggest paralyzed skeletal muscle
releases IL-6 in response to FES-evoked contractions. HYB may provide a greater
anti-inflammatory potential in individuals with a thoracic spinal cord injury
compared with HC alone.

Langue : ANGLAIS