The effect of high volt galvanic stimulation on quadriceps femoris muscle torque

Nineteen healthy subjects participated in this study to determine the effectiveness of high voltage galvanic (HVG) stimulation in producing contractile force of the quadriceps femoris muscles. Each subject was asked to perform a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) followed by HVG stimulation. During each of the three testing sessions, the subject was maximally stimulated with either a 50, 80, or 120 pps stimulus. Comparisons were then made between the torque force generated by a MVC and HV stimulated contractions. The results indicated that the HVG stimulation was capable of producing contractile forces from 17 to 85% of a MVC, with no significant difference between the three, frequencies in their effectiveness. This study suggests that HVG stimulation is capable of producing a "training stimulus" required for muscle strengthening. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;7(6):314-318.