The effects of functional electrical stimulation leg cycle ergometry training on arterial compliance in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Study Design: A prospective intervention of functional electrical stimulation leg cycle ergometry (FES-LCE) of four women with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Objective: To evaluate the effect of FES-LCE training on arterial compliance in individuals with chronic SCI of traumatic origin.
Setting: Tertiary rehabilitation center in Canada.
Methods: Large and small artery compliance were measured at the radial artery before and after a 3-month training program using FES-LCE.
Results: There was no significant change in large artery compliance after FES-LCE (16.0+/-4.2 to 16.8+/-6.1 ml mm Hg(-1) x 10, P=NS). There was a marked (63%) increase in small artery compliance after the FES training program (4.2+/-1.8 to 6.9+/-3.2 ml mm Hg(-1) x 100, P<0.05).
Conclusion: It appears that FES-LCE is effective in improving small artery compliance in females with SCI.