Dependence of Respiratory Reaction on the Intensity of Locomotor Response to Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of the Spinal Cord
We studied the reaction of respiratory system to the transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation inducing stepping movements. It was found that transcutaneous spinal stimulation resulted in a reduction of the tidal volume when generating stepping movements with small amplitude and in an elevation of the expiratory flow when generating stepping movements with large amplitude. Then we compared the reactions of the respiratory system during stepping movements induced by spinal stimulation and by voluntary efforts. During stepping movements induced by the spinal cord stimulation, the inhalation and exhalation time decreased, while the expiratory flow increased. During voluntary stepping movements, the inhalation time decreased, while the expiratory flow was increased. These facts can be a result of abdominal muscles activation, as well as the summation of the effects of spinal stimulation and exercise.