Effect of electrical stimulation training and detraining on abdominal muscle function

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation science
• Exercise physiology
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is utilized in rehabilitation for muscle strengthening and maintenance.
• Applications include facilitating muscle contraction and re-educating muscle action.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of 8 weeks of EMS training on abdominal muscle function.
• To assess the retention of training effects after a 4-week detraining period.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five subjects underwent 8 weeks of EMS training.
• Measurements included abdominal muscle size (cross-sectional area of rectus abdominis and lateral abdominal wall), strength, endurance, and lumbopelvic control.
• Assessments were conducted before training, after 8 weeks of training, and after 4 weeks of detraining.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in muscle size (rectus abdominis and lateral abdominal wall CSA), strength, endurance, and lumbopelvic control were observed after 8 weeks of EMS.
• Post-detraining, muscle CSA remained significantly elevated compared to baseline.
• No significant differences were found in abdominal strength, endurance, or lumbopelvic control between baseline and post-detraining measurements.

Conclusions:

• EMS training effectively enhances abdominal muscle size, strength, endurance, and lumbopelvic control.
• Muscle size demonstrates greater retention post-detraining compared to strength, endurance, and lumbopelvic control.