Functional electrical stimulation-propelled cycling for paraplegics – Measurement of the patient's force and endurance

The ergometer training of paraplegics with functional electrical stimulation (FES) can induce cardiovascular adaptation processes that allow them to cover useful distances during FES cycling, but only if a minimum amount of mechanical output power is generated. As a rule this cannot be achieved in the case of untrained patients. By concentrating on the work physiological aspect of FES-cycling, this study offers a novel approach to comprehension and measurement of the small powers and endurances observed in paraplegics. We also propose definitions for the driving capability and effort of individual patients with…