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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Training and detraining of a tetraplegic subject: high-volume FES cycle training
Tanja H Kakebeeke1, Pius J Hofer, Angela Frotzler
1Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.
Objective:
To test the effect of high-volume FES cycle training on cardiopulmonary fitness and bone parameters in a tetraplegic subject.
Design:
Case study of 1 yr of functional electrical stimulated (FES) cycle training with the highest possible power output in a tetraplegic subject.
Results:
Depending on the training compliance (varying from 22.9 to 82.9%) maximal power output and peak oxygen uptake increased by 113 and 103%, respectively. After reduction in training intensity, these parameters reduced correspondingly. Bone mineral density of the distal femoral epiphysis showed an increase of 3.9% after 12 mos of cycle training.
Conclusions:
It is possible to increase maximal power output, cardiopulmonary fitness, and bone parameters of the paralyzed limbs in tetraplegia by high-volume cycle training. However, if training is not maintained, these improvements are lost. In tetraplegic subjects, it may be difficult to maintain the high level of training required to achieve benefits.
