The influence of voluntary upper body exercise on the performance of stimulated paralysed human quadriceps

Abstract

In this study the influence of voluntary upper body exercise on the performance of stimulated paralysed human quadriceps was investigated in five subjects with spinal cord lesions in the thoracic spine. The experimental setup consisted of computer-controlled stimulation of the quadriceps using electrodes on the surface of the skin, a dynamometer for isometric or isokinetic loading of the lower leg, and a rowing ergometer for upper body exercise. In all subjects, quadriceps fatigue tests were conducted to study the influence of upper body exercise on knee torque during sustained continuous or intermittent stimulation of quadriceps. The relative asymptotic torque appeared to be significantly h..