Abstract by: Blythe Bonette
Jacobs, P.L., & Mahoney, E.T. (2002). Peak exercise capacity of electrically induced ambulation in persons with paraplegia. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(10), 1551-1556.Purpose
Upper-extremity exercise has been shown to improve overall fitness of those with spinal cord injuries (SCI). However, wheelchair propulsion and arm-cranking exercise (AC) have been linked with incidences of shoulder injury and pain (Curtis, K.A., Drysdale, G.A., Lanza, R.D., et al). Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been shown to have various peripheral benefits, but has not thus far shown substantial changes in overall fitness. This study compares peak physiological responses of ambulation via FES versus the responses of volitional AC in people with paraplegia due to SCI.