Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2020-02-21
The short-term effects of low-load isometric resistance training by the addition of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the rate of force development in hip abductor muscles
The rate of force development (RFD) is increased by high-load isometric resistance training (RT), whereas not by low-load isometric RT. However, it is unknown whether low-load isometric RT with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can increase the RFD.
PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to clarify the short-term effects of low-load isometric RT with NMES on the RFD.
METHOD:
Twenty-four healthy subjects randomly received both low-load RT of the hip abductor muscles with NMES and sham NMES condition. The RFD of the homonymous muscles was assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Time intervals of the RFD were set to 0–50 ms (50RFD), 0–100 ms (100RFD), 0–200 ms (200RFD), and 0–300 ms (300RFD). Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of time and intervention.
RESULT:
Low-load RT with NMES significantly increased 50 and 100RFD compared to sham NMES condition. On the other hand, 200 and 300RFD were not changed by either condition.
CONCLUSIONS:
The significantly increased RFD might be related to the factors affecting each RFD interval. This finding might have an important clinical implication for developing a mechanism-based effective training.
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