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SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE QUADRICEPS ON RECOVERY FROM EXHAUSTIVE EXERCISE

Abstract

M. Malone, H. Price, M. Townsley, C. Starkey, J. McKenzie

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

PURPOSE: The use of portable electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) units is becoming a popular tool for both professional and amateur athletes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of EMS as a means of short-term recovery following exhaustive quadriceps exercise. METHODS: 14 moderately active subjects had an average: age of 20.9 ± 0.6 years, height of 172.3 ± 9.0 cm, mass of 70.7 ± 13.4 kg, and fat free mass (FFM) of 58.6 ± 13.5 kg. In the first visit subjects completed a self-determined exhaustive set of quadriceps extensions consisting of three bouts each followed by 30s of rest. The added weight was predetermined based on FFM. In visits two and three subjects were instructed to do the same number of leg extensions for set one. This was followed by EMS or passive recovery (PR), the order of which was counterbalanced. After the intervention, subjects performed another set of quadriceps extensions until self- determined exhaustion. The amount of reps completed pre and post intervention was recorded. Additionally, blood lactate, heart rate (HR) and thigh circumference were recorded before and after the first set and after the second set. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between HR, blood lactate, and thigh circumference between EMS and PR tests. In the first set of leg extensions following the intervention the EMS group averaged 42 ± 18 reps vs. the PR group that averaged 26 ± 9 reps (p=.017). There was no significant difference in average reps between interventions in the second and third bout (p=.135, p=.683 respectively). After EMS, subjects averaged 170 ± 39 total reps vs. 60 ± 17 total reps after PR (p=.039). CONCLUSION: EMS improves exercise capacity following exhaustive exercise when compared to PR. Increased blood flow as a result of the evoked muscle contractions is thought to flush out metabolites and help replenish muscle glycogen, aiding with recovery of the motor unit. For short-term recovery, EMS is effective in producing more repetitions after exhaustion.

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