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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Cardiorespiratory responses during functional electrical stimulation cycling and electrical stimulation isometric
C Fornusek1, T H Gwinn1, R Heard2
1Exercise Health and Performance Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Study Design:
Prospective experimental.
Objectives:
To compare the cardiorespiratory responses with electrical stimulation (ES) producing either dynamic leg cycling or intermittent isometric leg contractions using the same ES protocol.
Setting:
Sydney, Australia.
Methods:
Eight paraplegics (T4-T11) performed ES exercise sessions on two separate days. On day 1, cardiorespiratory responses were measured during 5 min of rest followed by 35 min of cycling, and finally 15 min of intermittent isometric exercise using the same ES parameters. On the second day, after 5 min of rest, 35 min of isometric exercise was performed followed by 15 min of cycling.
Results:
There were no significant differences during the first 35 min of exercise on each day comparing the two modes of exercise for average rate of oxygen consumption (cycling, 534±128 ml min(-1); isometric 558±146 ml min(-1); P=0.451), the average heart rate (cycling, 93±15 b.p.m.; isometric 95±17 b.p.m.; P=0.264) or minute ventilation (cycling, 23.0±6.5 l min(-1); isometric 23.8±6.7 l min(-1); P=0.655). In addition, there were no significant differences between exercise modes for any peak cardiorespiratory values recorded during the initial 35 min of exercise or the following 15 min crossover exercise phase.
Conclusion:
The current data found that intermittent ES leg isometric exercise elicited a similar cardiorespiratory response compared with functional ES leg cycling, suggesting it should be investigated as a viable alternative intervention for increasing whole body metabolic rate during sustained exercise training sessions for individuals with paralyzed muscles.
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