Characterization of an electric stimulation protocol for muscular exercise

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of rest time (ten minutes) on muscular strength production during a training session under electrical stimulation. Patients and methods The isometric force output of the quadriceps femoris muscle was recorded during four sessions of stimulation of five minutes (15 maximal contractions: five seconds on and 15 seconds of rest), on 13 healthy adults. These four sessions are spaced out of ten minutes of recovery. The frequency of current is 100 Hz. Results At the 60th contraction, muscular force reaches 53 ± 7% of MVC. This value is significantly more important comparatively with a training session without rest time inside (27 ± 6% of MVC). Conclusion The efficiency of electrical stimulation to improve muscle strength seems to be dependent on number of contractions per session with a high level of force production (> = 60% de MVC). The protocol including intermediate periods of recovery seems more effective in order to produce a high level of force during all the training session.