ARM CRANK EXERCISE WITH STATIC LEG FNS IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Persons with spinal cord injury experience considerable difficulty, du ring aerobic exercise, in achieving even moderate levels of oxygen upt ake. Therefore, the effect of static functional neuromuscular stimulat ion (FNS) on this parameter during arm crank exercise (ACE) was invest igated. Eight subjects with spinal cord injury, lesion levels range C6 -T12, performed ACE at 60% and 80% of VO2peak both with and without co ncurrent FNS of the lower limbs. ACE was performed with no FNS, with F NS at 40 milliamperes (mA), and with FNS at 80 mA. Significant differe nces in oxygen uptake were found between ACE without FNS and ACE with FNS-80 mA at 60% VO2peak (10% increase, 12.5 ml . kg(-1). min(-1) to 1 3.7 ml . kg(-1). min(-1), P < 0.05), and between ACE without FNS and A CE with FNS-80 mA at 80% VO2peak (16%, increase, 14.8 ml . kg(-1). min (-1) to 17.2 ml . kg(-1). min(-1), P < 0.01). A 10% difference between ACE without FNS and ACE with FNS-40 mA, did not reach significance. T hese data indicate that, in this population of subjects with spinal co rd injury, (a) FNS can increase submaximal ACE oxygen uptake, and (b) that such increases are enhanced both at higher levels of FNS and of w ork load. Implications for wellness are discussed.