Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training Improves Acute Metabolic Responses in Sedentary Adults
Abstract
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a muscle contraction technique and is commonly used in rehabilitation to prevent muscle atrophy. Beyond rehabilitation, NMES has also shown promise for improving metabolic health, especially among sedentary or mobility-impaired individuals. Although acute use of NMES can improve glycemic control, the extent to which NMES training modifies metabolic responsiveness to acute stimulation remains unclear. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of NMES training on metabolic responsiveness and tolerance to high-frequency stimulation in sedentary overweight/obese adults. METHODS: Forty-five sedentary adults (BMI ≥25 kg/m²; 8 male, 37 female; 67% Hispanic) were randomized to an NMES training group or a control group. Both groups underwent an acute bout of 30-minute NMES at maximal tolerable intensity in fasted state while blood glucose, energy expenditure and substrate utilization were assessed continuously. Acute assessments were performed before and after NMES training intervention. The training consisted of three weekly sessions of NMES on the bilateral quadriceps for eight weeks (50 Hz; 300 μs). The NMES training group received stimulation at each individual’s maximum tolerable intensity to induce visible muscle contractions, whereas the control group received low-intensity sham stimulation (sensory) without muscle contraction for 30 minutes each. Energy expenditure (EE) and whole-body substrate utilization (respiratory exchange ratio (RER)) were assessed by indirect calorimetry. Data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Pearson Correlations. RESULTS: Eight-weeks of NMES training enhanced metabolic response to acute NMES in reducing fasting blood glucose (pre-training: 97±6mg/dL to 96±6 mg/dL; p>0.05, vs post-training: 101±7 mg/dL to 97±6 mg/dL; p-1.Kg-1 to 19±2 Kcal.Day-1.Kg-1; p>0.05, vs post-training: 19±3 Kcal.Day-1.Kg-1 to 19±3 Kcal.Day-1.Kg-1; p0.05, vs post-training: 0.79±0.06 to 0.80±0.05; pCONCLUSION: Eight weeks of NMES training enhanced metabolic response (glucose, EE, and RER (glucose utilization)) to acute NMES and increased stimulation tolerance. These findings suggest that NMES may be a viable strategy to improve glycemic control and metabolic health in populations with limited exercise and/or movement capacity. The enhanced metabolic responses occurred independently of increased tolerance to stimulation intensity, prompting the need for future studies to explore the mechanisms underlying NMES-induced adaptations beyond increased stimulation intensity.
Recommended Citation
Vazquez, Richard G.; Apaflo, Jehu N.; Fatahimeiabadi, Zahra; Azagloh, Seyram Y.; Labadah, Joshua; and Bajpeyi, Sudip
(2026)
"Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training Improves Acute Metabolic Responses in Sedentary Adults,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 134.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/134