Can functional electric stimulation-assisted rowing reproduce a race-winning rowing stroke?

OBJECTIVE

To compare the ergometer rowing technique of a person with spinal cord injury (SCI), using functional electric stimulation (FES) of his leg muscles, with that of a well-defined group of able-bodied rowers.

DESIGN

Whole-body kinematics and kinetics and electric activity of selected muscles were measured during ergometer rowing.

SETTING

A hospital-based motion analysis laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Five male university varsity-level rowers and 1 male rower with SCI.

INTERVENTIONS

Eight rowing trials were collected on the university-level rowers, 2 trials each at 20, 24, 28, and 32 strokes/min. The rower with SCI had surface electrodes applied to his medial hamstrings and medial quadriceps muscle bellies. The electrodes were attached to a stimulator that was activated using a button in the ergometer handle. The subject with SCI rowed at a self-selected stroke rate.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Forces at the ergometer handle and foot cradle, 3-dimensional whole-body kinematics, net joint moments, and phasic activity of muscles.

RESULTS

Motion of the arms, ankles, and knees of the rower with SCI was similar to those of the university-level rowers; other joint motions and forces applied to the ergometer differed.

CONCLUSIONS

FES-assisted rowing in its current implementation cannot reproduce a race-winning rowing stroke. Further development work is required.