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Updated: May 16, 2026
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A Murine Model of Muscle Training by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Published on: May 9, 2012
Electrical stimulation reduces post-exercise muscle stiffness and enhances flexibility in hamstring muscles
Hirohisa Uehara1, Yoshiaki Itoigawa2,3,4, Daichi Morikawa2,3
1Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, 1-5-29 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan. hi-uehara@juntendo.ac.jp.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|May 14, 2026
Summary
Electrical stimulation (ES) applied after eccentric exercise may reduce hamstring muscle stiffness and improve flexibility. This suggests ES could be a valuable tool for post-exercise recovery and injury prevention.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Post-exercise muscle stiffness, particularly in hamstrings, can impair flexibility and elevate injury risk.
- The efficacy of electrical stimulation (ES) in mitigating post-exercise muscle stiffness is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of electrical stimulation (ES) on hamstring muscle stiffness following eccentric exercise.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen healthy males underwent eccentric exercise (leg curl).
- Hamstring muscle stiffness (shear modulus), flexibility (passive straight leg raise), and isometric knee flexion force were measured.
- Measurements were taken pre-exercise, post-exercise, and at 0, 30, and 60 minutes after 10-minute interferential current ES application to one leg, with the contralateral leg serving as control.
Main Results:
- Eccentric exercise increased semitendinosus (ST) and semimembranosus (SM) muscle stiffness.
- ES significantly reduced ST muscle stiffness at 30 minutes post-application compared to immediately post-exercise.
- Flexibility improved faster with ES application, though isometric force did not show significant improvement.
Conclusions:
- Electrical stimulation may effectively reduce hamstring muscle stiffness and enhance flexibility after eccentric exercise.
- ES shows potential as an adjunct therapy in post-exercise recovery protocols to mitigate stiffness and improve flexibility.
- Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and optimize ES protocols for various muscle groups.
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