Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Induced Eccentric Contraction Training on Muscle Activation and Thickness

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Induced Eccentric Contraction Training on Muscle Activation and Thickness

In this study, we investigate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-induced eccentric contraction training for two weeks on muscle strength, activation level, and muscle architecture in healthy people. Six non-disabled (4 male, 2 female) volunteered to participate. The ultrasonographic images and dorsiflexion forces were measured when subjects performed the full relaxation, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and NMES-induced maximum involuntary isometric contraction of their tibialis anterior muscles in both pre- and post-test. After a two-week training period, the changes in the mean maximum NMES force ratio increased from 72.5 % to 88.92 %. The changes in the TA thickness during MVIC decreased significantly from 0.22 cm to 0.11 cm. The NMES-induced eccentrical contraction training described here effectively increases muscle strength with less muscle thickness changes after two weeks of training. This training technique may have a role in neuromuscular rehabilitation.