A Strength Study Utilizing the Electro-Stim 180

David Boutelle, Brad Smith, Terry R. Malone

lncreased interest has developed in the use of electrical stimulation as either an adjunct or a substitution for voluntary muscle contraction as a technique to improve strength in normal individuals. This study was conducted in an attempt to determine if electrical stimulation does significantly increase the strength of normal musculature. A sample using 17 normal subjects (1 0 male, 7 female) with an average mean age of 26 years was obtained. In this study the subjects were divided into two groups. Three different speeds (0, 60, and 240°/sec) with 3-5 contractions at each speed were used to determine the maximum strength of each subject's nondominant leg as measured by a Cybex® II dynamometer. Group A consisted of 8 subjects (3 male, 5 female) who served as a control group. Group B consisted of 9 subjects (7 male, 2 female) who received electrical stimulation to the nondominant leg for 20 treatment sessions (5 days/week for 4 weeks). Results indicate that group B did have a significant strength gain which was achieved after 4 weeks of stimulation. These results were only significant at an isometric mode (OO/sec) and did not carry over to dynamic measurement.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1985;7(2):50-53.

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