How can FES cycling help me?
“So to me the sooner you start the better. I mean I could see in the first, you know, 2 months, how quick my legs are shrinking away and I was cycling. So, if you can cycle do it.”
- FES cycling user
Fes cycling offers a safe and effective solution for individuals with neurological impairments to engage in progressive resistive exercise, unlocking therapeutic and health benefits.
Potential benefits of FES cycling include
Target area
Potential benefit from FES cycling
Cardiovascular
- Improve blood flow
- Decrease glucose and insulin levels in blood
- Improve and maintain cardiovascular conditioning
- Increase in lean muscle mass and capillary numbers
Muscle health and movement
- Increase muscle size and strength
- Improve muscle composition
- Improve fatigue resistance
- Improve rate of soft tissue healing
- Reduce swelling
- Prevent disuse atrophy
Bone health
- Prevent loss of bone mineral density
- Improve bone health in lower limbs
- Improve rate of fracture healing
- Increase joint range of motion
Spasms and spasticity
- Reduce frequency and/or intensity of muscle spasms
- Reduce effects of spasticity
Cardiometabolic
- Reduce amount of adipose tissue
Secondary complications
- Decrease chance of infections
- Decrease chance of pressure injuries
- Decrease chance of fractures
Other
- Increase ISNSCI* score in lower extremity
- Recovery of movement below the level of the injury
These problems could happen, but with proper guidance and monitoring from your health care providers, these effects will be less likely. Some may never happen.
This might happen because there are series of metabolic activities going on in the body during exercise that can cause tiredness, but these feelings are temporary.
Because the SCI disturbs the normal regulation of the blood pressure. This effect lasts only a short time.
May be triggered by the leg movement.
Make sure that you are hydrated, get enough rest, and check your blood pressure if it tends to be low. Make sure that you take your blood pressure medication if you have a prescription
This might happen if you are not set up properly in the FES cycle. Safe transfer techniques, use of hypoallergenic electrodes, proper use of the electrodes, and control of the stimulation intensity can reduce the likelihood this will happen.
This is unlikely if you go to the bathroom or schedule your bowel routine before cycling.
Proper positioning (elevating legs) and compressive stockings can help.
Only if your injury is at T6 or above. If you are aware of the condition and know how to manage it, it won’t be a problem. It is recommended that you discuss it with your health care provider.
This is rare and usually happens only with vigorous exercise.
This is rare and might happen if you have a severe muscle spasm and/or severe osteoporosis.