Reduced Plasma Glucose and Leptin After 12 Weeks of Functional Electrical Stimulation–Rowing Exercise Training in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Abstract Jeon JY, Hettinga D, Steadward RD, Wheeler GD, Bell G, Harber V. 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