Increased endothelin and creatine kinase after electrical stimulation of paraplegic muscle.

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in creatine kinase (CK) and endothelin (ET) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) after computerized functional electrical stimulation leg ergometry (CFES LE). Eight subjects (7 male and 1 female) with complete spinal cord lesions (C7 to L1) completed zero-loaded CFES LE tests at baseline, after 3, 6, and 12 wk of CFES LE training (30 min, 3 times/wk), and also after detraining (DT) (n = 5). Venous blood samples were drawn 24, 48, and 72 h after CFES LE for measurement of ET and CK.

Effects of electrical stimulation and upper body training after spinal cord injury.

The purpose of this study was to measure the cardiorespiratory improvements during the initial weeks of training in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Eight adult volunteers (ages 23-41) with paraplegia (T4-L1, N = 7) and low levels of quadriplegia (C7, N = 1) participated in a 12-wk training program consisting of 6 wk of computerized functional electrical stimulation leg ergometry (CFES LE) followed by 6 wk of combined arm ergometry and CFES LE (hybrid ergometry; HE). Measures of peak oxygen consumption (pV02) and immediate post-exercise blood lactate (La-) were collected during an intermittent CFES LE graded exercise test (3-min stages; 1/8-kp increments) prior to training (0T), following 6 wk of CFES LE training (6T) and following 6 wk of HE training (12T).