FES Rowing

[Jeff]

I had never heard of FES rowing until I ran across this. Looks pretty cool.

FES Rowing Study Update & Subject Recruitment

Dries Hettinga, Visiting Student

A few years ago here at The Steadward Centre a completely new type of exercise for persons with SCI has been developed. With the aid of FES, persons with SCI are now able to row on an adapted rowing ergometer. This enables you to work out with your arms and legs. This so called hybrid exercise is of importance for reducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity and prevention of osteoporosis. All these diseases are more common in the SCI population than in the able-bodied population, which makes an active lifestyle even more important for a spinal cord injured individual than it is already for an able-bodied individual.

To examine the effects of FES-rowing on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, a new study has recently been started. Dr. Garry Wheeler, Justin Jeon and Dries Hettinga will monitor lipid profiles (e.g., cholesterol, free fatty acids) before and after a 12 week FES-rowing program. It is well known that exercise beneficially influences the lipid profile. Hopefully we will find the same results in FES-rowing exercise for persons with spinal cord injury.

First studies regarding FES-rowing show that FES-rowing is as much or even a better type of exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness than traditional hybrid exercise (a combination of arm cranking and FES leg cycling). Oxygen consumption is higher during FES-rowing than during traditional hybrid exercise and rowing is a more functional movement. So this all indicates that FES-rowing might be an excellent type of exercise for persons with Spinal Cord Injury.

We have started the study with the first group of participants, but are planning to have a second group started as soon as possible. We still have some places available for this group, so if you have a Spinal Cord Injury (T4-T11, at least 1 year post injury) and are interested in trying this new type of exercise, please contact Dr. Garry Wheeler or Dries Hettinga at 492-8339 or DM.Hettinga@student.unimaas.nl

http://www.per.ualberta.ca/rhc/tsc/Newsletter/FES1.jpg

Link (http://www.per.ualberta.ca/rhc/tsc/Newsletter/achieve-v1n1.htm)

~See you at the SCIWire-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[chris B.]

I stumbled onto the Steadward Centre site about 3 weeks ago, looking for something closer to home for my son, Brian. Only after calling the Neuro Institute in Phoenix, and being told I need a U.S. prescription from a doctor before they can work with Brian. I asked if they had any other Canadians working out there, and she said no. We took my son just last week up to Edmonton, at the U of A, where the Centre is, for an assessment. He did very well, but really sore for a few days. the technician for the FES cycles was not busy, so they hooked him up to a handheld unit for about 5 min., and it made his legs flex out, God that was something to see. They will now send us a exercise program for Brian to follow at home. I had read about the FES Rowing study, but did not spot the machine when we were there. I had previously asked about the study, but they said they were almost done with it, and they never mentioned another one. I will ask about it though, now. Brian would qualify, with T5, and 2 1/2 yrs. post. He wants to start on FES cycle 2x a week, soon. It a 2 hr. drive, but alot closer than anything we have found yet.
chris B.

[mattblan]

Where can I get one of these mothers?

[mattblan]

Anyone have updates on this thing?

[KiranA]

This is in Alberta? That's next door to me. Anyone know if Vancouver has something set up similar to this?

I'd be interested in finding out more about this too.

www.warpedtour.com (http://www.warpedtour.com)