FES Rowing is Great Cardio Guys!!
Apr 2, 2014 0:40:57 GMT -8
Post by Lαrα on Apr 2, 2014 0:40:57 GMT -8
When i go to my gym, my favorite piece of equipment that i can use is the rower...it seems to work so many parts of the body at once...!
So ive looked at FES rowing as this is something that everyone with a Spinal Cord Injury can do and i was very pleasantly surprised to read how truly useful and effective it is as a form of exercise!
Following their injury, most people with spinal cord injuries cannot voluntarily exercise enough muscle mass to gain the benefits of a full body workout. The muscle mass in the upper body is small compared to the rest of the body and this has implications for the maximum intensity that can be reached.
FES Rowing is the only cardiovascular exercise available to a person with a spinal cord injury where their whole body is actively involved in the exercise and the potential health benefits are enormous.
FES Rowing is the only cardiovascular exercise available to a person with a spinal cord injury where their whole body is actively involved in the exercise and the potential health benefits are enormous.
Example training programme
FES-Training Programme Phase 1
Initial leg conditioning can be conducted in a seated position from an individual’s own wheelchair, or whilst laid supine on a bed or sofa providing the thighs are supported with knees flexed at 900 with feet hanging freely and unrestricted with gravity.
The feet and ankles should also be appropriately cushioned to prevent injury. Phase 1 involves quadriceps-only conditioning to gradually increase muscle strength and endurance.
Hamstring conditioning is integrated into the programme once at least 10 minutes of continuous 900 knee extension exercise is possible. The ultimate aim of Phase 1 is to achieve at least 30 minutes of continuous 900 knee extension exercise on up to 7 days per week. FES-rowing is then integrated into the programme and Phase 2 commences.
FES-Training Programme Phase 2
FES-rowing training starts with an interval training regime on alternate days, three days a week whilst FES-leg conditioning continues for up to 60 minutes of 900 knee extension exercise on non-rowing days as background muscle conditioning. Interval rowing training involves FES-rowing for 30 seconds followed by arms-only rowing for 30 seconds and progressively builds to 30 minutes duration.
On reaching 30 minutes, the FES-rowing component is increased by 10 seconds to a 40:20 second split. Occasionally, a 50:10 split is required before non-stop FES-rowing is possible for 30 minutes.
Phase 3 of the programme commences when participants can non-stop FES-row for 30 minutes on three alternate days per week, whilst FES-leg conditioning for 60 minutes on the remaining non-rowing days.
FES-Training Programme Phase 3
Non-stop FES-rowing performance is developed during this phase of the programme whilst optimising rowing technique. Two rowing styles are currently being evaluated in the cohort of UK FES-rowers.
To optimise training potential, FES-rowing continues on three alternate days per week for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise whilst base-line FES-leg conditioning continues on the remaining 4 days per week for 60 minutes of low-intensity exercise.
Moderate intensity exercise is defined as 40% - 60% of a pre determined peak exercise capacity (see Scientific Articles). This volume, intensity and frequency of exercise align with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommended guidelines to optimise cardiovascular fitness and general health in the general population.
Within this section of the forum we also have some information on FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) and how it works...take a look here
FES Rower Source
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