EMG median frequency shifts without change in muscle oxygenation following novel locomotor training in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.

Only seven participants were enrolled, and two of the seven were excluded from the analyses because their EMG data was unusable. The analyses compared only pre- and post-training measurements in the same participants. The sample was a convenience sample with varied injury levels and severities, so the results may not generalise to all people with incomplete spinal cord injury. The authors state the study was underpowered for detecting significant changes in some muscle oxygenation variables, even when a large effect size was observed. No muscle biopsy was taken, so actual fibre type changes cannot be confirmed. Slight deviations in electrode placement between pre- and post-testing could affect EMG and NIRS signals. The locomotor training program integrated many components, so the contribution of any single training element to muscle activation or oxygenation cannot be separated.

Do not conclude that locomotor training improves muscle oxygenation or reduces fatigue. The study found no significant change in muscle oxygenation, and the EMG median frequency shift did not significantly influence oxygenation in this very small pre-post study.