Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity after electrical stimulation-assisted cycling in people with spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Longitudinal training.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation (ES)-assisted cycling (30 min/day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks) on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
The Steadward Centre, Alberta, Canada.


METHODS
Seven participants with motor complete SCI (five males and two females aged 30 to 53 years, injured 3-40 years, C5-T10) underwent 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT, n=7) and hyperglycaemic clamp tests (n=3) before and after 8 weeks of training with ES-assisted cycling.


RESULTS
Results indicated that subjects' glucose level were significantly lower at 2 h OGTT following 8 weeks of training (122.4+/-10 vs 139.9+/-16, P=0.014). Two-hour hyperglycaemic clamps tests showed improvement in all three people for glucose utilisation and in two of three people for insulin sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that exercise with ES-assisted cycling is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with SCI.


BACKGROUND
Supported by Alberta Paraplegic Foundation, Therapeutic Alliance.
Jeon
J Y
JY
The Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Weiss
C B
CB
Steadward
R D
RD
Ryan
E
E
Burnham
R S
RS
Bell
G
G
Chilibeck
P
P
Wheeler
G D
GD
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D001786:Blood Glucose