Relationship of Spinal Cord Injury Level and Duration to Peak Aerobic Capacity With Arms-Only and Hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation Rowing.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of spinal cord injury level and duration to peak aerobic capacities during arms-only rowing compared with hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)-rowing.

DESIGN

Comparison of peak aerobic capacity (VO2), peak ventilation, peak respiratory exchange ratio, and peak heart rate were measured during arms-only rowing and FES-rowing obtained from graded exercise tests.

RESULTS

Peak aerobic values were strongly related to injury level and injury duration for both arms-only rowing (r = 0.67, P < 0.05) and FES-rowing (r = 0.61, P < 0.05). Peak aerobic capacities were greater across all injury levels and durations with FES-rowing compared with arms-only rowing. Differences in VO2 were inversely related to injury level (r = 0.55, P < 0.05) with greater increases in VO2 in higher level injuries. Injury durations of less than 2 yrs had greater percent increases in VO2 with FES-rowing.

CONCLUSIONS

FES-rowing acutely post injury may have the greatest effect to maintain function and improve VO2. This impact seems to be greatest in those with higher level injuries.