Effects of Combination Therapy of Heat Stress and Muscle Contraction Exercise Induced by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Disuse Atrophy in the Rat Gastrocnemius

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a complementary tool for therapeutic exercise for muscle strengthening and may potentially enhance exercise performance. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous aerobic training (CA) coupled with NMES enhance the changes in the eccentric/concentric muscle contraction patterns of hamstring and quadriceps. METHODS: Forty-five healthy sedentary male participants performed cycling training 3 times per week for 8 weeks combined with/without NMES performed at a load equivalent to 65% and 120% of IVO2max (intensity associated with the achievement of maximal oxygen uptake). Anthropometrics, blood lactate measurements, IVO2max, TLimVO2max (time-to-exhaustion) and isokinetic strength parameters were measured at baseline and post-training using a randomized controlled trial. RESULTS: The conventional hamstring-to-quadriceps-ratio (HQR: Hcon/Qcon) at 60∘/s and the Dynamic Control Ratio (DCR: Hecc/Qcon) at 180∘/s significantly increased both in the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) limb in the HIIT + NMES group (p< 0.05). There was a positive significant correlation between the individual changes in D HQR at 60∘/s and IVO2max (r= 0.94, p= 0.005) and the DCR at 180∘/s and TLimVO2max (r= 0.90, p= 0.015), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The increases in the eccentric muscle contraction and DCR following HIIT + NMES seem to improve fatigue tolerance, cause less fatigue and oxidative stress on the lower limb during pedaling at high intensities.

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Effects of electrode size and placement on comfort and efficiency during low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation of quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-022-00403-7 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. Flodin ◽

R. Juthberg ◽

P. W. Ackermann

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Contraction ◽

Current Density ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Numerical Rating Scale ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Gluteus Maximus ◽

Major Drawback ◽

Electrode Size ◽

Low Intensity

Abstract Background Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may prevent muscle atrophy, accelerate rehabilitation and enhance blood circulation. Yet, one major drawback is that patient compliance is impeded by the discomfort experienced. It is well-known that the size and placement of electrodes affect the comfort and effect during high-intensity NMES. However, during low-intensity NMES the effects of electrode size/placement are mostly unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how electrode size and pragmatic placement affect comfort and effect of low-intensity NMES in the thigh and gluteal muscles. Methods On 15 healthy participants, NMES-intensity (mA) was increased until visible muscle contraction, applied with three electrode sizes (2 × 2 cm, 5 × 5 cm, 5 × 9 cm), in three different configurations on quadriceps and hamstrings (short-transverse (ST), long-transverse (LT), longitudinal (L)) and two configurations on gluteus maximus (short-longitudinal (SL) and long-longitudinal (LL)). Current–density (mA/cm2) required for contraction was calculated for each electrode size. Comfort was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10). Significance was set to p < 0.05 and values were expressed as median (inter-quartile range). Results On quadriceps the LT-placement exhibited significantly better comfort and lower current intensity than the ST- and L-placements. On hamstrings the L-placement resulted in the best comfort together with the lowest intensity. On gluteus maximus the LL-placement demonstrated better comfort and required less intensity than SL-placement. On all muscles, the 5 × 5 cm and 5 × 9 cm electrodes were significantly more comfortable and required less current–density for contraction than the 2 × 2 cm electrode. Conclusion During low-intensity NMES-treatment, an optimized electrode size and practical placement on each individual muscle of quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals is crucial for comfort and intensity needed for muscle contraction.

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Does Transvaginal Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Elicit a Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction? A Pilot Study Using Ultrasonography in Healthy Women

Journal of Womenʼs Health Physical Therapy ◽

10.1097/jwh.0b013e318260dd24 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 102-107

Author(s):

Ruth M. Maher ◽

Dawn M. Hayes

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Pelvic Floor ◽

Muscle Contraction ◽

Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction ◽

Healthy Women

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Ultrasonographic Detection of Vastus Intermedius Muscle Contraction During Surface Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology ◽

10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2011.05.117 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 37 (8) ◽

pp. S22

Author(s):

L. Kneisz ◽

M. Krenn ◽

C. Hanc ◽

W. Mayr ◽

C. Kollmann

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Contraction ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Vastus Intermedius

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Neuromuscular electrical stimulation prevents muscle disuse atrophy during leg immobilization in humans

Acta Physiologica ◽

10.1111/apha.12200 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 210 (3) ◽

pp. 628-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

M. L. Dirks ◽

B. T. Wall ◽

T. Snijders ◽

C. L. P. Ottenbros ◽

L. B. Verdijk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Disuse Atrophy ◽

Muscle Disuse

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Individualized isometric neuromuscular electrical stimulation training promotes myonuclear accretion in mouse skeletal muscle

10.1101/2021.12.14.472254 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aliki Zavoriti ◽

Aurélie Fessard ◽

Masoud Rahmati ◽

Peggy Del Carmine ◽

Bénédicte Chazaud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Damage ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Training Session ◽

Force Production ◽

Main Function ◽

Muscle Stem Cells ◽

Exercise Induced ◽

Electrical Stimuli

Skeletal muscle is a plastic tissue that adapts to exercise through fusion of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) with myofibers, a physiological process referred to as myonuclear accretion. However, it is still unclear whether myonuclear accretion is driven by increased mechanical loading per se , or occurs, at least in part, in response to exercise-induced muscle injury. Here, we developed a carefully monitored and individualized neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training protocol of the mouse plantar flexor muscles. Each NMES training session consisted of 80 isometric contractions at a submaximal mechanical intensity corresponding to ≈15% of maximal tetanic force to avoid muscle damage. NMES trained mice were stimulated for 2 × 3 consecutive days separated by one day of rest, for a total of 6 sessions. Experiments were conducted on C57BL/6J and BALB/c males at 10-12 weeks of age. NMES led to a robust myonuclear accretion and higher MuSC content in gastrocnemius muscle of both mouse lines, without overt signs of muscle damage/regeneration or muscle hypertrophy or force improvement. This new mouse model of myonuclear accretion relying on the main function of skeletal muscles, i.e., force production in response to electrical stimuli, will be of utmost interest to further understand the role of MuSCs in skeletal muscle adaptations.

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