It is challenging for individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) to achieve the required fitness level to prevent ensuing secondary complications such as coronary artery disease. The additional muscle activity induced by gait patterned functional electrical stimulation (GP-FES) may help these individuals to achieve the required fitness level. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of increasing exercise intensity in individuals with SCI using GP-FES assisted walking on a treadmill. Subjects were three male individuals with SCI. All three individuals had motor-incomplete lesions, levels T6, C4 and T10 and were 39, 45 and 50 years age, respectively. The test protocol consisted of sequential four-minute long session of: 1) Without GP-FES walking (NonGP-FES assisted walking), 2) GP-FES assisted walking, and 3) 2nd Non-GP-FES assisted walking. GP-FES was applied to the quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, and triceps surae muscles using a surface electrical stimulation system. Oxygen consumption (ml/kg/min) was measured during each trial. In all subjects Oxygen consumption increased during GP-FES-assisted walking (Subject A : 14.5, B : 19.1, C : 17.0 : ml/kg/min) as compared to that of the Non-GP-FES assisted walking (1st Non-GP-FES assited walking: Subject A : 13.4, B : 18.2, C : 17.0: ml/kg/min; 2nd Non-GP-FES assisted walking: Subject A : 13.1, B : 17.8, C : 17.5: ml/kg/min). METs values during 1st Non-GP-FES assisted walking were 3.8, 5.2, and 4.8 METs, while METs values during GP-FES assisted walking were 4.2, 5.5, and 5.5 METs in subject A, B and C, respectively. In conclusion, Oxygen consumption increased during GP-FES assisted walking compared to Non-GP-FES walking. GP-FES assisted walking has a potential of increasing exercise intensity for individuals with SCI. Further randomized control studies to investigate the training effect of the GP-FES assisted walking is required.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.30/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE