Comparison of muscular activity on ergometric bicycle and elliptical trainer in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/fm.2023.36131

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal cord injury generates muscle weakness, impairing orthostatism and gait. The elliptical trainer (ET) and the ergometric bicycle (EB) are rehabilitation options for this subject. Understanding the pattern of muscle activation generated by these methods is important to answer questions arising from clinical practice. Objective: To verify muscle activation with ET and EB with and without electromyographic biofeedback in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI). Methods: Cross-sectional crossover study, enrolled in Clinical Trials (NCT05118971). Subjects with spinal cord injury (incomplete spinal cord injury group - ISCIG) and without spinal cord injury (reference group - RG) were randomized into four groups: elliptical group (EG), elliptical + biofeedback group (EBG), bicycle group (BG) and bicycle + biofeedback group (BBG). Subjects were assessed for functionality by the Functional Independence Measure, injury classification by the ASIA Scale, muscle tone by the modified Ashworth scale, and muscle activity by electromyography. Results: There was greater activation of the tibialis anterior on cycling compared to other modalities in . Biofeedback offered no difference in any of the groups. In the vastus medialis was the most activated muscle in all modalities, with more expressive activation in the ET. In this same group, the tibialis anterior was more activated on the EB. Conclusion: This study showed that both ET and EB are safe and effective in recruiting the muscles investigated, encouraging its use by rehabilitation professionals when the objective is to strength muscles involved in gait.

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Author Biographies

Priscila Paula dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)

Post-graduation Program of Rehabilitation Sciences

Douglas Haselstrom, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)

Post-graduation Program of Rehabilitation Sciences

Thalita dos Santos Rocha, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)

Post-graduation Program of Rehabilitation Sciences

Franciele Zardo, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)

Post-graduation Program of Rehabilitation Sciences

Jéssica Saccol Borin Aita, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)

Post-graduation Program of Rehabilitation Sciences

Fernanda Cechetti, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)

Physical Therapy Department and researcher at Post-graduation Program of Rehabilitation Sciences

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Published

2023-11-07

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Original Article

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