Reduced plasma glucose and leptin after 12 weeks of functional electrical stimulation-rowing exercise training in spinal cord injury patients

Objective: To investigate the effects of exercise training with a functional electrical stimulation (FES) rowing machine on insulin resistance, plasma leptin levels, and body composition in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: A fitness and research center for people with disabilities.

Participants: Healthy male participants with paraplegia (N=6) participated in the study (mean age, 48.6±6y; mean weight, 70.06±3.28kg; injury levels between T4-5 and T10).

Interventions: Twelve weeks of FES-rowing exercise training 3 to 4 times a week (600-800kcal).

Main outcome measures: Peak oxygen consumption, plasma leptin, insulin, and glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, body composition.

Results: Twelve weeks of FES-rowing training improved aerobic fitness significantly (P=.048). In addition, plasma glucose and leptin levels were significantly decreased after exercise training by 10% and 28% (P<.028), respectively. A trend toward fat mass reduction was seen in 4 of the 6 subjects; this change did not reach statistical significance (P=.08).

Conclusion: A 12-week training program that included FES rowing improved aerobic fitness and fasting glucose and leptin levels in the absence of significant change to body composition, fasting insulin levels, or calculated insulin sensitivity in people with SCI.