Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Isokinetic Training

NCT00512018 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 067/03
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) associated to an isokinetic training program in both young healthy men and women. Twenty subjects (10 men, 10 women; 21±1.5 years) submitted both quadriceps femoris muscles to a strengthening program (3 sets of 10 isokinetic concentric repetitions at 30°/s) two days per week for 4 weeks. One limb was submitted only to the strength training (EX) while the other underwent the same training program but with NMES added to each contraction (Ex+NMES). The current used for NMES was Russian Current (frequency of 2500 Hz, 50 bursts/s and pulse duration of 200 µs). The evaluation protocol included isometric and isokinetic concentric extensor torques at 30°/s. Men increased their torque in both tested modalities in both limbs, with no difference between them. The angle of peak torque increased for the EX limb, showing an altered tension-length relationship, which did not occur for the Ex+NMES limb or for women. Women increased their torque for EX limb in both modalities, which only occured for isometric mode in the Ex+NMES limb. However, they showed a decrease in their acceleration time in Ex+NMES limbs, showing they could produce a muscular contraction more readily than they did before training. The results of this study found that the association between NMES and isokinetic concentric voluntary strength training does not improve strength gains of voluntary training itself for young healthy subjects of both genders. However, it could improve neuromuscular readiness to produce torque in women.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

Electric Stimulation; Quadriceps Muscle; Muscle Strength; Neuromuscular Properties; Tension-Length Relationship; Healthy young adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The association between NMES and isokinetic concentric voluntary strength training did not improve strength gains of voluntary training itself for young healthy subjects of both genders.

  Six months after stopping other type of strength training

Study Arms (2)

Isokinetic Exercise only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Individuals were asked to perform a 8-session training, twice a week, in which they trained the knee extensors muscles in an isokinetic dynamometer, 3 sets of 10 repetitions.

Other: Isokinetic exercise

Isokinetic exercise + NMES

EXPERIMENTAL

In the contralateral limb, the same protocol was repeated; however, each contraction was associated with overlapped NMES (Ex+NMES).

Device: NMES

Interventions

NMES DEVICE

In the contralateral limb, the same protocol was repeated; however, each contraction was associated with overlapped NMES (Ex+NMES limbs).For the NMES, a symmetric double-phase sine-wave was used. Bearing wave frequency was of 2500 Hz, modulated in 50 bursts/s, with pulse duration of 200 µs, interburst interval of 10 ms. This configuration is known as "Russian current".

Also known as: Current generator Physiotonus Slim (Bioset, Brazil)

Isokinetic exercise + NMES

Isokinetic exercise OTHER

Subjects realized training sessions twice a week with a 2-day minimum interval between the sessions, for 4 weeks. Each session included 5 min period of warm-up in a stationary bicycle, followed by 3 series of quadriceps stretching, as previously described. After being positioned at the isokinetic dynamometer, just as in the evaluation sessions, subjects firstly performed 3 sets of 10 maximum isokinetic concentric repetitions at the speed of 30º/s with one limb (EX limb), respecting the rest interval of 3 minutes between the sets.

Also known as: Isokinetic Dynamometer: Biodex Multi Joint System 3

Isokinetic Exercise only

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos: lead

Study Officials

• Mariana A Avila, PT

  Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Tania F Salvini, PhD

  Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Jamilson S Brasileiro, PhD

  Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 3, 2007
• First Posted: August 7, 2007
• Study Start: January 1, 2005
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2006
• Study Completion: July 1, 2007
• Last Updated: April 18, 2013

Record last verified: 2013-04