Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Effects of unilateral electromyostimulation superimposed on voluntary training on strength and cross-sectional area.

Full Abstract

In this study we investigate the effects of unilateral voluntary contraction (VC) and electromyostimulation superimposed on VC (EV) training on maximal voluntary (MVC) force and cross-sectional area (CSA), as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging of knee extensors. Thirty young men were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG), VC group (VG), or EV group (EVG). The VG and EVG trained the right leg isometrically three sessions per week for 6 weeks. After training, MVC increased in the right leg in the VG and in both legs in the EVG, and EVG was significantly different from CG (all P < 0.01). Increased CSA was found only in the right leg in the VG and EVG (P < 0.01), and correlated with improvements of MVC (r = 0.49, P = 0.01). It appeared that the EV training was equally effective as VC at increasing MVC and CSA, while having a greater cross-education effect. Increased strength without muscle hypertrophy in the unexercised leg of the EVG indicated that neural adaptation was responsible for the cross-education effect.

Author information

Author/s: Bezerra, Pedro (P); Zhou, Shi (S); Crowley, Zachary (Z); Brooks, Lyndon (L); Hooper, Andrew (A);

Affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. j.bezerra.10(-atsign-)scu.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Muscle & nerve (Muscle Nerve), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 40 (issue 3) : pp 430-7

Dates: Created 2009/08/31; Completed 2009/10/06;

PMID: 19705423, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/6/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Electric Stimulation - methods Electromyography - methods Exercise Test - methods Functional Laterality - physiology Humans Knee - anatomy & histology

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods Male Muscle Contraction - physiology Muscle Strength - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology; physiology Physical Exertion Statistics as Topic Young Adult

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