title: FES-rowing in tetraplegia: a preliminary report.
abstract: METHODS
  A training intervention study using functional electrical stimulation-rowing (FES-R) in a group of eight individuals with tetraplegia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of a structured progressive FES-R training programme in people with tetraplegia, and to explore the number and type of FES-training sessions required to enable continuous FES-R for 30 min.
  
  
  METHODS
  A fully integrated sports centre, elite rowing training centre and university sport science department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight participants with chronic complete and incomplete tetraplegia (C4 to C7, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A, B and C) who had not previously used any form of FES-assisted exercise, participated in the study. Participants completed a progressive FES-assisted training programme building to three continuous 30-min FES-R sessions per week at 60-80% of their predetermined peak power output. Thereafter, rowing performance was monitored for 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  number and type of FES-training sessions required before achieving 30-min continuous FES-R, and FES-R average power output (POav) pre and post 12 months training. Participant feedback of perceived benefits was also documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants were able to continuously FES-row for 30 min after completing 13±7 FES-R training sessions. Each individual POav during 30 min FES-R increased over 12 months FES-training. FES-R was found safe and well tolerated in this group of individuals with tetraplegia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with tetraplegia are able to engage in a progressive programme of FES-R training. Future research examining FES-R training as an adjunctive therapy in people with tetraplegia is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, London, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Shave
authors.affiliation: London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult