Article

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel neuromuscular electrical
stimulation (NMES) system for improving aerobic fitness in individuals with
spinal cord injury (SCI). It was hypothesized that training with this NMES system
would increase peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)peak) and peak heart rate (HRpeak)
in a sedentary adult SCI population. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING:
All testing took place at a university human performance laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Volunteer participants with SCI (N=16; T4-11 American Spinal Injury
Association Impairment Scale grades A and B) were recruited from the national SCI
outpatient and outreach service databases. All completed the training program,
but results from 2 participants were excluded because posttraining tests were
invalid. Therefore, 14 participants (11 men, 3 women) completed the program and
testing. INTERVENTIONS: Four electrodes (175cm(2)) were placed bilaterally on the
quadriceps and hamstrings muscle groups, and subtetanic contractions were
elicited using an NMES device. Training was undertaken unsupervised at home for 1
hour, 5d/wk for 8 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
An incremental treadmill
wheelchair propulsion exercise test with simultaneous cardiopulmonary gas
exchange analysis was used to determine Vo(2)peak and HRpeak. RESULTS: A
statistically significant increase in Vo(2)peak (P=.001) and HRpeak (P=.032)
between baseline and follow-up was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This novel form of NMES
is an effective method of improving aerobic fitness in an SCI population. Results
are comparable to those with current functional electrical stimulation exercise systems.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS