CONTEXT: No direct research has been conducted on the relationship between subcutaneous tissue thickness and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of subcutaneous tissue thickness on NMES amplitude and NMES force production of the quadriceps. DESIGN: Simple fixed design, testing the independent variable of subcutaneous thickness (skinfold) groups with the dependent variables of NMES amplitude and force production. SETTING: Athletic Training Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 29 healthy women. INTERVENTION: NMES to produce at least 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the quadriceps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maximal NMES amplitude and percentage of MVIC using NMES. RESULTS: A significant skinfold category difference F2,28=3.92, P=.032 on NMES amplitude was found. Post hoc revealed the thinnest skinfold category tolerated less amplitude compared to the thickest category. A significant correlation was found between NMES amplitude skinfold category R=.557, P=.002. CONCLUSION: Higher NMES amplitudes are needed for the thickest skinfold category compared to the thinnest skinfold category.
CONTEXT: No direct research has been conducted on the relationship between subcutaneous tissue thickness and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of subcutaneous tissue thickness on NMES amplitude and NMES force production of the quadriceps. DESIGN: Simple fixed design, testing the independent variable of subcutaneous thickness (skinfold) groups with the dependent variables of NMES amplitude and force production. SETTING: Athletic Training Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 29 healthy women. INTERVENTION: NMES to produce at least 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the quadriceps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maximal NMES amplitude and percentage of MVIC using NMES. RESULTS: A significant skinfold category difference F2,28=3.92, P=.032 on NMES amplitude was found. Post hoc revealed the thinnest skinfold category tolerated less amplitude compared to the thickest category. A significant correlation was found between NMES amplitude skinfold category R=.557, P=.002. CONCLUSION: Higher NMES amplitudes are needed for the thickest skinfold category compared to the thinnest skinfold category.
Authors: Flávia V A Medeiros; Amilton Vieira; Rodrigo L Carregaro; Martim Bottaro; Nicola A Maffiuletti; João L Q Durigan Journal: Braz J Phys Ther Date: 2015-09-01 Impact factor: 3.377