Anzeige
Erschienen in:
01.10.2011 | Editorial
Electrical stimulation for neuromuscular testing and training: state-of-the art and unresolved issues
Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Ausgabe 10/2011
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenExcerpt
Contrary to other widespread forms of electrical stimulation, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is generally delivered to the muscle in static conditions (without functional movement occurring) and at sufficiently high current intensities to evoke visible muscle contractions (beyond motor threshold). NMES has received increasing attention in the last few years, because it has the potential to serve as:-
a strength training tool for healthy subjects and athletes, since its chronic use may induce neuromuscular adaptations similar/complementary to voluntary strength training;
-
a rehabilitation and preventive tool for partially- or totally immobilized patients, since its chronic use may preserve muscle mass and function during prolonged periods of reduced muscular use;
-
a testing tool for evaluating the neural and/or muscular function in vivo, since it is able to induce standardized muscle contractions whose electrical (EMG) and mechanical (torque) properties could be easily quantified; and
-
a post-exercise recovery tool for athletes, since its acute application may increase muscle blood flow and therefore metabolite washout which could in turn accelerate recovery kinetics during and after exercise.