The experiment on Functional Electronic Stimulation was very interesting. They basically used an able bodied person to model the inputs required to activate muscle groups and then turned around and applied the 4(6?) channel computer controlled electronic stimulus to the SCI patient. One of the main problems was that external stimulation was much less effective (strength of contraction) than the body’s own inputs. Also the condition of the muscles of the SCI patient was in atrophy.

I was wondering why didn't they try applying some type of temporary paralysis to the able-bodied subject and then try the FES? It seems like you would have a better idea of how the system works and what it is capable of.

I can imagine high-performance PROM chips available to SCI people who want to run like Col. Steve Austin.

Actually spinal repair seems much more attractive to me. It would be nice for them to feel their legs. We already have machines that allow us to satisfy our need for speed and as far as strength goes, I’d like to see an exo-skeletal loader built like the one that
Ripley used to battle the Queen in “Aliens.”