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Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Published on: September 13, 2015
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High-Frequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Increases Anabolic Signaling
Joni A Mettler1, Dillon M Magee1, Barbara M Doucet2
1Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|March 20, 2018
Summary
High-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) significantly increases anabolic signaling proteins compared to low-frequency NMES. This suggests higher frequencies may be more effective for muscle hypertrophy in rehabilitation settings.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Muscle Biology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is widely used in rehabilitation to enhance muscle mass and strength.
- The precise impact of NMES on muscle growth and the comparative effects of different frequencies on anabolic signaling remain unclear.
- No human studies have directly compared the anabolic signaling responses between low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) NMES.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute skeletal muscle anabolic signaling response to both LF-NMES and HF-NMES.
- To compare the effects of different NMES frequencies on key anabolic signaling pathways in human subjects.
Main Methods:
- Eleven healthy young adults (6 males, 5 females) participated in the study.
- Participants underwent acute bouts of LF-NMES (20 Hz) and HF-NMES (60 Hz).
- Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were collected pre- and post-NMES, with anabolic signaling proteins (mTOR, p70-S6K1, 4E-BP1) analyzed via Western blot.
Main Results:
- Both LF- and HF-NMES upregulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation compared to pre-stimulation.
- HF-NMES demonstrated a significantly greater increase in mTOR phosphorylation (68.4%) than LF-NMES (40.2%).
- HF-NMES also significantly increased p70-S6 kinase 1 phosphorylation (96.6%), while eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 showed no significant changes between conditions.
Conclusions:
- An acute bout of NMES, particularly at high frequencies, effectively upregulates anabolic signaling pathways crucial for muscle growth.
- HF-NMES elicits a more potent anabolic response compared to LF-NMES, suggesting its potential for greater muscle hypertrophy.
- Clinicians should consider stimulation frequency as a key parameter when designing NMES protocols for optimal rehabilitation outcomes.
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