Role of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation as an Alternative Exercise Method

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, is escalating at an alarming rate in many countries. These diseases are usually associated with insufficient physical activity since physical activity has beneficial effects on a variety of health outcomes such as decreased mortality and risk of these diseases. Moderate to vigorous physical activity has been recommended to achieve these positive effects. However, many patients cannot perform adequate exercise because of severe diseases, health complications, and/or exercise intolerance. This issue highlights a need for alternative therapies. There is an increasing literature that recognizes the positive effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical performance, and metabolism in healthy adults and clinical settings. The present review introduces the effect of NMES on muscle strength and glucose metabolism as well as NMES-induced physiological responses such as the myokines which are related to preventing dementia and cancer.