Kinetics of muscular function and architecture changes during of chronic low-frequency electrical stimulation

Abstract

The effect of a 7-day “dry” water immersion (DI) with countermeasures (neuromuscular electrical stimulation - NMES) on the function and architecture of the human triceps surae muscle was studied in six healthy young men. During DI, subjects performed NMES muscle groups of both lower extremities every day. Internal architecture was measured in vivo by use of B-mode ultrasonography. The ankle was positioned at -15°, and 0, +15°, and +30° plantarflexion. At each position, longitudinal ultrasonic images of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were obtained while the subject was relaxed and performed 50 % maximal voluntary isometric contraction.