Vascular adaptations in nonstimulated areas during hybrid cycling or handcycling in people with a spinal cord injury: a pilot study of 10 cases

This study investigated whether hybrid cycling (leg cycling with electrical stimulation and handcycling) leads to better vascular health than just handcycling in people with spinal cord injuries. They measured blood vessel thickness and dilation in the arms and legs of participants after a 16-week training program. The study found that neither hybrid cycling nor handcycling significantly improved blood vessel health in non-stimulated areas of the body.

• 1
  No significant changes in intima media thickness (IMT) were found in the common coronary artery (CCA) or superficial femoral artery (SFA) after hybrid cycling or handcycling.
• 2
  Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (BA) did not change significantly after either type of cycling.
• 3
  The 16-week training program, consisting of twice-weekly sessions, may not have been sufficient to induce systemic vascular adaptations in the nonstimulated areas.