The Effect of Different Electro-Motor Stimulation Training Intensities on Strength Improvement

The effect of different training intensities of electro-motor stimulation (EMS) on strength gains produced in the quadriceps femoris muscle group was investigated. Twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Control (C), Low Intensity (LI) trained at 25% of their maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and High Intensity (HI) trained at 50% of MVIC. Results indicated a significant strength improvement in both training groups (p<0.01) following a three-week EMS training program. The HI group showed significantly greater strength gains (48.5%) than the LI group (24.2%) (p<0.01). A significant carry-over effect was also demonstrated in a three-week follow-up period, specifically in the HI group. Positive isokinetic strength changes in the concentric mode were observed in both training groups. In addition, a significant cross transfer effect was demonstrated in the contralateral homologous muscle group (p<0.01) for both HI and LI groups