Effects of endurance and strength-directed electrical stimulation training on the performance and histological properties of paralyzed human muscle: a pilot study.
Electrical stimulation (ES) improves muscle properties after spinal cord injury (SCI), but cycling power output (PO) remains low. We investigated the effect of endurance and strength ES training on these parameters. Assessments of quadriceps strength and fatigue resistance, cycling PO, and muscle biopsies were made in four well-trained SCI subjects (three cyclists and one rower) before and after additional weight training in the cyclists and once in the rower. Weight training improved muscle strength, but cycling PO was low in all subjects. There was no effect of training type on biopsy data. Biopsies showed non-specific signs of pathology, predominance of type IIa fibers, and uniform metabolic activity. Oxidative activity was low, as were capillary:fiber ratios in the cyclists. Cycling PO is limited by factors other than muscle strength. Future ES training studies should attempt to improve muscle oxidative capacity to optimize the potential benefits of ES exercise.
Division of Applied Biomedical Research, King's College London, London, UK.
Lynsey D
LD
Duffell
Anthea M
AM
Rowlerson
Nick De N
Nde N
Donaldson
Stephen D R
SD
Harridge
Di J
DJ
Newham
D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D016552:Ergometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D018656:Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010243:Paralysis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology