It is known that people with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a higher risk (3 to 5 times) of developing diabetes than the general population. This high prevalence of diabetes and inpaired glucoose tolerance has been attributed to changes om body composition and muscle characteristics following the injury.  These changes occur due to relative inactivity and muscle neuron paralysis in people with SCI.

Exercise and particularly aerobic exercise, is considered a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of diabetes because it has been shown to be effective in improving muscle, adipose tissue and whole body insulin sensitivity.

A study published in 2002 in the Journal Spinal Cord, investigated the effects of FES Cycling on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in a group of seven  individuals  with motor complete spinal cord lesions.

The individuals were tested following 8 weeks of training. Two hour hyperglycaemic clamps tests showed improvement for all three people for glucose utlisation and in two of three people for insulin sensitivity.

The authors suggest that exercise with FES assisted cycling is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with SCI.

Article Reference

Jeon, JY et al (2002)

"Improved  glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity after electrical stimulation-assisted cycling in people with spinal cord injury"

Spinal Cord (2002), 40, 110-117