title: The effect of FES-rowing training on cardiac structure and function: pilot studies in people with spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  Two studies were conducted: Study-1 was cross-sectional; and Study-2 a longitudinal repeated measures design.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the influence of functional electrical stimulation (FES) rowing training on cardiac structure and function in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A university sports science department and home-based FES-training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen participants with C4-T10 SCI (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A or B) were recruited for the studies. Cardiac structure and function, and peak: oxygen uptake ([Vdot ]O2peak), power output (POpeak) and heart rate (HRpeak), were compared between two FES-untrained groups (male n=3, female n=3) and an FES-trained group (male n=3) in Study-1 and longitudinally assessed in an FES-naive group (male n=1, female n=4) in Study-2. Main outcome measures left ventricular-dimensions, volumes, mass, diastolic and systolic function, and [Vdot ]O2peak, POpeakand HRpeak. In Study-2, in addition to peak values, the [Vdot ]O2sustainable over 30 min and the related PO and HR were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sedentary participants with chronic SCI had cardiac structure and function at the lower limits of non-SCI normal ranges. Individuals with chronic SCI who habitually FES-row have cardiac structure and function that more closely resemble non-SCI populations. A programme of FES-rowing training improved cardiac structure and function in previously FES-naive people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FES-rowing training appears to be an effective stimulus for positive cardiac remodelling in people with SCI. Further work, with greater participant numbers, should investigate the impact of FES-rowing training on cardiac health in SCI.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  We thank the INSPIRE Foundation, UK, for funding these studies.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stock
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.affiliation: Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Shave
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D000072599:Cardiorespiratory Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial