ABSTRACT
Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been noted as an effective pre-conditioning intervention for an increase of the rate of development (RFD). However, it is unknown whether NMES increases muscle flexibility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque level for 5 seconds used as a warm-up is effective for improving the range of motion (ROM) following increased tolerance for muscle extensibility with/without alteration of the MTU stiffness. Methods and Results: Maximum ROM and ROM with standardized torque (30N) were measured in both legs in thirteen healthy males before and after NMES intervention at a 20% MVIC level for 5 seconds. The maximum ROM increased after intervention compared with before intervention on the NMES side, while it was not changed on the non-NMES side. In addition, there were no significant differences in the ROM with standardized torque in any measurements. Conclusion: It is concluded that NMES at 20% MVIC for 5 seconds could be effective for improving ROM following an increased tolerance for muscle extensibility without alteration of the MTU stiffness.
ABSTRACT
Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been noted as an effective pre-conditioning intervention for an increase of the rate of development (RFD). However, it is unknown whether NMES increases muscle flexibility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque level for 5 seconds used as a warm-up is effective for improving the range of motion (ROM) following increased tolerance for muscle extensibility with/without alteration of the MTU stiffness. Methods and Results: Maximum ROM and ROM with standardized torque (30N) were measured in both legs in thirteen healthy males before and after NMES intervention at a 20% MVIC level for 5 seconds. The maximum ROM increased after intervention compared with before intervention on the NMES side, while it was not changed on the non-NMES side. In addition, there were no significant differences in the ROM with standardized torque in any measurements. Conclusion: It is concluded that NMES at 20% MVIC for 5 seconds could be effective for improving ROM following an increased tolerance for muscle extensibility without alteration of the MTU stiffness.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Far-infrared wave therapy can accelerate blood flow rapidly, strengthen the exchange of substance and energy among tissues, and promote the rapid recovery of musculoskeletal micro-injury. The far-infrared ceramic microsphere is a new functional rehabilitation material in the field of physical therapy and rehabilitation in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To verify the therapeutic effectiveness of far-infrared ceramic microsphere intervention on muscle extensibility, stiffness, and elasticity after musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: Male students aged 18-21 years who were diagnosed with posterior femoral muscle injury in each sports specialty were selected as test subjects. Twenty subjects were selected and randomly divided into two groups (n=10/group), and then underwent far-infrared therapeutic apparatus (control group) and far-infrared ceramic microsphere intervention treatment (trial group) for 2 consecutive weeks. A non-invasive muscle detection system was used to collect muscle extensibility, muscle stiffness, and muscle elasticity data before and 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The muscle extensibility in the trial group at 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P 0.05). In the control group, the muscle extensibility at 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P 0.05). In the control group, the muscle stiffness at 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P 0.05). In the control group, the muscle elasticity at 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05), but it was still lower than that of the healthy side (P < 0.05). The muscle elasticity at different time points in the trial group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (4) In summary, far-infrared ceramic microspheres can improve muscle extensibility and elasticity, reduce muscle stiffness and promote the recovery of muscle damage.
ABSTRACT
Background: To investigate the effect of high-voltage alternating current (AC) electric field exposure on muscle extensibility. Methods: The study design was a crossover comparison. Fifteen healthy men were randomly divided into two groups. The interventions were exposure and no exposure to a high-voltage AC electric field (18 kV, 30 min). Subjects then performed bilateral self-stretching of the trapezius, hamstrings, and rectus femoris. Skin temperature, blood flow rate, blood pressure, heart rate, muscle rigidity, and muscle extensibility were measured before and after the intervention, and muscle rigidity and muscle extensibility were measured again after stretching. Skin temperature was measured bilaterally on the palms, shoulder girdle, anterior thigh, and dorsum of foot. Blood flow rate was measured in the right radial artery and dorsal artery of the foot. Muscle rigidity was measured bilaterally in the trapezius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris. Muscle extensibility indices were determined for the left and right angle of lateral neck flexion, heel-buttock distance, straight leg raise angle, and sit-and-reach distance. Skin temperature, blood flow rate, blood pressure, and heart rate were compared between before and after the intervention, and muscle rigidity and muscle extensibility were compared before and after the intervention and after stretching. Results: A significant improvement was found in muscle extensibility in the intervention group but not in the controls. Muscle extensibility improvements due to stretching were noted regardless of electric field exposure, but the degree and percentage of change in muscle extensibility was significantly higher after stretching following electric field exposure. Electric field exposure had no effect on muscle rigidity or circulatory dynamics. Conclusions: Exposure to the high-voltage AC electric field appeared to increase muscle extensibility and heighten the effect of stretching. However, as the mechanism for improved muscle extensibility due to high-voltage AC electric field exposure was not clear, further study is necessary.
ABSTRACT
<b>Background:</b> To investigate the effect of high-voltage alternating current (AC) electric field exposure on muscle extensibility. <BR><b>Methods:</b> The study design was a crossover comparison. Fifteen healthy men were randomly divided into two groups. The interventions were exposure and no exposure to a high-voltage AC electric field (18 kV, 30 min). Subjects then performed bilateral self-stretching of the trapezius, hamstrings, and rectus femoris. Skin temperature, blood flow rate, blood pressure, heart rate, muscle rigidity, and muscle extensibility were measured before and after the intervention, and muscle rigidity and muscle extensibility were measured again after stretching. Skin temperature was measured bilaterally on the palms, shoulder girdle, anterior thigh, and dorsum of foot. Blood flow rate was measured in the right radial artery and dorsal artery of the foot. Muscle rigidity was measured bilaterally in the trapezius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris. Muscle extensibility indices were determined for the left and right angle of lateral neck flexion, heel-buttock distance, straight leg raise angle, and sit-and-reach distance. Skin temperature, blood flow rate, blood pressure, and heart rate were compared between before and after the intervention, and muscle rigidity and muscle extensibility were compared before and after the intervention and after stretching.<BR><b>Results:</b> A significant improvement was found in muscle extensibility in the intervention group but not in the controls. Muscle extensibility improvements due to stretching were noted regardless of electric field exposure, but the degree and percentage of change in muscle extensibility was significantly higher after stretching following electric field exposure. Electric field exposure had no effect on muscle rigidity or circulatory dynamics.<BR><b>Conclusions:</b> Exposure to the high-voltage AC electric field appeared to increase muscle extensibility and heighten the effect of stretching. However, as the mechanism for improved muscle extensibility due to high-voltage AC electric field exposure was not clear, further study is necessary.