Metabolic,ventilatory and cardiovascular responses to FES-cycling: A comparison to NMES and passive cycling

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cyclergometry with functional electrical stimulation (FES-cycling) is a feasible method for rehabilitation. The concept is to promote exercise induced by depolarization of the motoneuron and muscular contraction.

OBJECTIVE:

To measure acute physiological responses to FES-cycling.

METHODS:

Retrospective study of data from ten healthy volunteers who performed FES-cycling, passive cycling and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) alone. Metabolic, ventilatory and cardiovascular parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Oxygen uptake enhanced 97 $\pm$ 15% during FES-cycling, with medium effect size compared to NMES and large effect size compared to passive cycling. Energy expenditure enhanced 102 $\pm$ 15% during FES-cycling, with medium effect size compared to NMES and large effect size compared to passive cycling. Minute ventilation enhanced 115 $\pm$ 26% during FES-cycling, with small effect size compared to NMES and medium effect size compared to passive cycling. Cardiac output enhanced 21 $\pm$ 4% during FES-cycling, with medium effect size compared to NMES and passive cycling. Arterial – mixed venous oxygen content difference enhanced 60 $\pm$ 8% during FES-cycling, with a medium effect size compared to NMES and large effect size compared to passive cycling.

CONCLUSIONS:

FES-cycling enhances metabolic, ventilatory and cardiovascular demands and the physiological responses are higher than NMES and passive cycling.