Effect of electrical stimulation training and detraining on abdominal muscle function

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) has been applied in many rehabilitation settings for muscle strengthening, facilitation of muscle contraction, re-education of muscle action, and maintenance of muscle strength and size during prolonged immobilization.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of 8 weeks of EMS training on abdominal muscle function and to determine whether the training effect could be maintained after 4 weeks of EMS detraining.

METHODS:

Twenty-five subjects performed EMS training for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 weeks of EMS training, and after 4 weeks of EMS detraining, muscle size (cross-sectional area [CSA] of the rectus abdominals [RA] and lateral abdominal wall [LAW]), strength, endurance, and lumbopelvic control (LC) were measured.

RESULTS:

There were significant increases in CSA [RA ( $p<$ 0.001); LAW ( $p<$ 0.001)], strength [trunk flexor ( $p=$ 0.005); side-bridge ( $p<$ 0.05)], endurance [trunk flexor ( $p=$ 0.010); side-bridge ( $p<$ 0.05)], and LC ( $p<$ 0.05) after 8 weeks of EMS training. The CSA of the RA ( $p<$ 0.05) and the LAW ( $p<$ 0.001) were measured after 4 weeks of detraining and they were greater than that of the baseline. There were no significant differences in abdominal strength, endurance, and LC between baseline measurements and post-detraining.

CONCLUSION:

The study indicates that there is less of a detraining effect on muscle size than on muscle strength, endurance, and LC.