Effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation on cumulative fatigue and muscle tone of the erector spinae

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation on fatigue recovery of the erector spinae with cumulative fatigue induced by repeated lifting and lowering work. [Subjects] Thirty-two healthy men volunteered to participate in this study and they were randomly divided into three groups: a MC group of 12 persons who underwent microcurrent, a TENS group of 10 persons who underwent Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and a control group of 10 persons who only rested. [Methods] Cumulative fatigue was induced and then, EMG, muscle tone, CK and LDH serum levels of the erector spinae were measured. Each group then underwent the assigned intervention and was re-measured. To analyze the differences in fatigue between before and after the intervention, the paired t-test was conducted, while groups were compared using analysis of covariance with a control group. [Results] The MC groups showed a significant reduction in muscle fatigue and decreased muscle tone when compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were found between the TENS and control groups. [Conclusion] These results suggest that microcurrent stimulation was effective for recovery from cumulative muscle fatigue while TENS had no effect.

Therapeutic effects of massage and electrotherapy on muscle tone, stiffness and muscle contraction following gastrocnemius muscle fatigue

“…Such a result is noteworthy because massage therapy decreases alpha and beta activity, inducing a relaxation response 5 ) , which more greatly influences a decrease in muscle tone and stiffness. In a previous study, Kang et al 13 ) reported that TENS did not have obvious effect on recovery from erector muscle fatigue. Since the intervention effect of TENS on muscle fatigue recovery may differ according to different body parts, the application of massage therapy together with TENS will be effective for the management of muscle fatigue.…”

Impact of different running distances on muscle and lymphocyte DNA damage in amateur marathon runners

“…On the other hand, endurance exercise without a break can cause damage due to repetitive muscle contractions 12 ) . Previous studies 13 , 14 , 15 ) suggested that competitive exercise resulted in an increase in creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which are important indices of the extent of skeletal muscle cell damage, and that running distance is associated with muscle damage.…”

The effects of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the activation of deep lumbar stabilizing muscles of patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis

“…Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a form of lumbopelvic stabilizing rehabilitation that is being increasingly used to reinforce muscle strength and prevent muscle atrophy 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) . This technique has also shown promise in training of the deep lumbar stabilizing muscles 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) .…”