Comparative effect of a 1 h session of electrical muscle stimulation and walking activity on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in obese subjects

Abstract

It has previously been shown that low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) techniques can induce increases in energy expenditure similar to those associated with exercise. This study investigated the metabolic and cardiovascular effects of a 1 h session of lower limb NMES and compared cardiovascular response with that observed during walking in nine obese subjects (three males) (age = 43.8 ± 3.0 years; body mass index (BMI) = 41.5 ± 1.8 kg/m 2 ). The NMES protocol consisted of delivering a complex pulse pattern to the thigh muscles for 1 h. The walking test consisted of five 4-min bouts starting at 2 km/h with 1 km/h increments up to 6 km/h. In both tests, an open-circuit gas analyser was used to assess O 2 consumption (V O 2 ), CO 2 production (V CO 2 ), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate (HR). Rates of fat oxidation (RFO) and carbohydrate oxidation (CHO) were estimated by indirect calorimetry. One hour of NMES significantly increased V O 2 , HR, RER, and mean energy expenditure compared with resting values, reaching 8.7 ± 1.3 mL·min −2 ·kg −1 (47% of V O 2peak ), 114.8 ± 7.5 bpm, 0.95, and 318.5 ± 64.3 kcal/h, respectively. CHO, but not RFO, increased during 1 h of NMES. With NMES, CHO was greater and RFO was less than at all walking speeds except 6 km/h. Lactate also increased more with NMES, to 3.5 ± 0.7 mmol versus a maximum of 1.5 ± 0.3 mmol with the walking protocol. These results suggest that NMES can be used in an obese population to induce an effective cardiovascular exercise response. In fact, the observed increase in energy expenditure induced by 1 h of NMES is clinically important and comparable with that recommended in weight management programs.Key words: obesity, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, substrate oxidation. Mots-clés : obésité, stimulation électrique neuromusculaire, consommation d'oxygène, dépense énergétique, oxydation des substrats.

The Application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training in Various Non‐neurologic Patient Populations: A Narrative Review

“…In obese and diabetic patients, NMES can be used to improve muscle strength and endurance but also to enhance energy consumption. In obese subjects, oxygen consumption reached 8.7 AE 1.3 mL*min À1 *kg À1 (47% of VO 2 peak) and energy expenditure 318.5 AE 64.3 kcal/h during a 5 Hz stimulation, which corresponded to the energy expenditure recommended in weight management programs [130]. In healthy subjects with stimulation of lower and upper body muscles, values as high as 40 mL*min À1 *kg À1 (10-fold increase) can be achieved with NMES [131,132].…”

Feasibility and effects of intra-dialytic low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation and cycle training: A pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Electrical muscle stimulation was delivered by four large (800cm 2 total per leg), adhesive electrodes in a neoprene garment, applied bilaterally to the quadriceps and hamstrings. Details of the stimulation protocol have been previously described [ 24 ]. Briefly, to elicit a cardiovascular stimulus via rapid, rhythmical, sub-tetanic contractions, short bursts of four pulses were repeatedly delivered by a research stimulator (NT2010 Biomedical Research Ltd) at a frequency of 5 Hz.…”

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise: a potential alternative to conventional exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes

“…6 More recently, this form of NMES exercise was found to induce a cardiovascular response and to significantly increase energy expenditure in an obese population. 7 Evidence exists to suggest that NMES may be used as an alternative to conventional exercise in T2D. Early studies in healthy individuals showed that whole body glucose uptake could be substantially enhanced during and after a single bout of NMES.…”