Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Development of a Coaching System for Functional Electrical Stimulation Rowing: A Feasibility Study in Able-Bodied
Shirin Tajali1, Kai Lon Fok1,2, Pirashanth Theventhiran1,2
1KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4, Canada.
Background:
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) during rowing has substantial effects on cardiovascular health in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Currently, manual stimulation control where stimulation is operated by rowers is mostly utilized. However, it takes time to obtain the skill to initiate FES at the optimal timing. The purpose of this study was to develop a coaching system that helps rowers to initiate FES at the optimal timing.
Methods:
The optimal range for FES application was identified based on the electromyography of the left quadriceps in 10 able-bodied individuals (AB). Then, the effects of the coaching system on the timing of button-pressing, power, and work were investigated in 7 AB.
Results:
Vastus lateralis (VL) activation began consistently before the seat reached the anterior-most position. Therefore, seat position at the onset of VL was used as the variable to control the switch timing in the coaching system. The results revealed significantly higher power and work outputs in the coaching than the no-coaching condition (median power coaching: 19.10 W, power no-coaching: 16.48 W, p = 0.031; median work coaching: 109.74 J, work no-coaching: 65.25 J, p = 0.047).
Conclusions:
The coaching system can provide the optimal timing for FES, resulting in improved performance.
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