FES Research
FES Rowing After SCI: Health, Sport and Recreation
Paralysis following spinal cord injury (SCI) results in reduced muscle mass that can be involved in physical activity. This can lead to secondary conditions including; obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Physical exercise in excess of 2000 kcal/week and the minimum oxygen consumption of 21 ml/kg/min is required. This will lower the relative risk of coronary heart disease and significantly improve blood lipids fractions. Many persons with SCI have difficulty achieving these levels and are often limited by fatigue of the arms. Electrical stimulation can be used to increase the amount of metabolically active muscle. The physical exercise that simultaneously involves both the upper body and the stimulated lower limbs can exceed the required oxygen consumption and weekly exercise volume.
We have demonstrated that computer controlled multichannel electrical stimulation of the leg muscles and voluntary arm motion can facilitate rowing on an adapted ergometer and on-water. The pulling actions involved in rowing may also be therapeutic for those with overuse shoulder pain as a result of chronic wheelchair propulsion.
