Power output during functional electrically stimulated cycling in trained spinal cord injured people.

Objectives. This study is to compare relationships between muscle size, strength, and power output (PO) in trained spinal cord injured (SCI) people and able-bodied (AB) people; and to compare methodologies for measuring PO during functional electrically stimulated (FES) cycling. Subjects. Trained SCI people (N= 5) and five AB subjects of similar physical characteristics. Materials and Methods. Thickness and strength of the quadriceps muscles and PO during 1) incremental exercise test (IET); 2) maximal stimulation test (MST) in SCI people and during an explosive exercise test in AB subjects. Results. In SCI people, muscle thickness, strength, and peak PO reached 88, 34, and 13% of AB, respectively. Steady state PO (MST) was similar to maximal PO (IET). Conclusions. Peak PO was lower than expected in trained SCI people. Muscle recruitment and efficiency during FES cycling require optimization to improve PO. An MST is a more convenient and informative measure of PO during FES cycling.