OPTIMAL ELECTRODES SETTING FOR TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE QUADRICEPS

in Loland, S.; Fasting, K.; Ommundsen, Y. (Eds.) et al Book of Abstracts of 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (2009, June)

Introduction Treatment or training sessions with neuromuscular electrical stimulations (NMES) are generally performed in a transcutaneous manner with the aid of surface electrodes. Several investigators ... [more ▼]

Introduction Treatment or training sessions with neuromuscular electrical stimulations (NMES) are generally performed in a transcutaneous manner with the aid of surface electrodes. Several investigators have highlighted the benefits of quadriceps stimulation during rehabilitation following traumatic injury or surgery of the knee and during physical preparation of athletes (Kramer and Mendryyk, 1982). However, the practical modalities of quadriceps stimulation (number, size and localization of electrodes) remain controversial (Vanderthommen and Duchateau, 2007). The present work aimed to determine the optimal electrodes setting for NMES applied to the quadriceps. Methods Twenty physically active men (23 ± 2 years, 180 ± 8 cm, 75 ± 12 Kg) underwent first an evaluation of left quadriceps maximal isometric voluntary torque (QMIVT). The exact localization of the motor points of vastus medialis (MPVM) and vastus lateralis (MPVL) was also determined. Then, we tested unilaterally, isometrically and consecutively five electrodes settings (ES) including rectangular (10 x 5 cm) (RE) or square (5 x 5 cm) (SE) electrodes, with identical stimulation parameters (biphasic symmetric rectangular pulses, 80 Hz, pulse duration 0.35 ms, constant current intensity (42 ± 11 mA)): ES1= 1 channel, 2 RE transversally on the thigh (with the distal electrode placed on MPVM and MPVL); ES2= 1 channel, 2 RE longitudinally on MPVM and MPVL; ES3= 1 channel, 2 SE on MPVM and MPVL; ES4= 2 channels, 4 SE (with 2 SE placed on MPVM and MPVL); ES5= 2 channels, channel 1= 1 SE on MPVM and 1 RE transversally on the proximal part of the thigh, channel 2= 1 SE on MPVL and 1 RE transversally on the proximal part of the thigh. For each ES we measured the electrostimulated torque. Results The mean QMIVT reached 200 ± 51 Nm. The MPVM and MPVL were situated 10 ± 2 cm and 14 ± 3 from the patellar base, respectively. The stimulated contractions reached 9.2 ± 7.4 Nm (4.6% of QMIVT) for ES1, 8 ± 4.8 Nm (4% of QMIVT) for ES2, 15 ± 8.3 Nm (7.5% of QMIVT) for ES3, 16.3 ± 7.7 Nm (8.2% of QMIVT) for ES4 and 40.4 ± 11.3 Nm (20.2% of QMIVT) for ES5 (p<0.05). Discussion During NMES programs it appears crucial to use a proper electrode setting ensuring efficient muscle recruitment and therefore optimized training effects. However, physiotherapists and trainers often place electrodes empirically especially for NMES applied to the quadriceps. This study demonstrated the relevance of using two channels for quadriceps NMES and of setting, for each channel, one small “excitative” electrode exactly on the motor point of vastus medialis or lateralis and one bigger “dispersive” electrode transversally on the proximal part of the thigh (in order to close the circuit). References Kramer JF, Mendryyk SW. (1982). Phys Ther, 4, 1657-1667. Vanderthommen M, Duchateau J. (2007). Exerc Sport Sci Rev, 35, 180-185. [less ▲]

Use of Borg Scale in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain Attending a Physical Training

in Abstract book of the Boston International Forum X - Primary Care Research on low back pain (2009, June)

Does Time Influence Reproducibility of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire?

in Abstract book of the Boston International Forum X - Primary Care Research on low back pain (2009, June)

Can the Borg scale for perceived exertion be used in patients with chronic low back pain?

in Pain Practice (2009, March), 9(Supp 1), 120

Etude comparative préliminaire entre populations cervicalgique et lombalgique chroniques

in Revue du Rhumatisme (2008, December), 75

The Ability of Isoinertial Assessment to Monitor Specific Training Effects

in Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness (2008), 48(1), 55-64

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of isoinertial assessment to monitor training effects. Both parametric and curve analysis of the results were used to underline the specificity of ... [more ▼]

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of isoinertial assessment to monitor training effects. Both parametric and curve analysis of the results were used to underline the specificity of maximal strength and maximal velocity resistance training methods. METHODS: Twenty-four untrained subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: a maximal strength-training group (heavy loads: 80% to 98% of the one repetition maximum [1-RM]), a maximal velocity-training group (light loads: 25% to 50% of 1-RM) and a control group. All the subjects were tested in bench press exercises before and after the 6-week training period. An isoinertial dynamometer was used to assess velocity and power at four increasing loads: 35%, 50%, 70% and 95% of the 1-RM load. Post-test protocol also included a trial at 105% of the 1-RM load. RESULTS: Isoinertial assessment demonstrated for both training groups significant gains at each load. Some specific adaptations appeared: strength training presented a greater increase for average power (+49%, P<0.001) and average velocity (+48%, P<0.001) at 95% of 1-RM, while velocity training emerged as a more effective way to improve performance at 35% and 50% of 1-RM (+11 to 22%) in comparison with strength training (+7 to 12%). The analysis of power and velocity curves specified that strength training enhanced performance earlier in the movement, while velocity training extended the propulsive action at the end of movement. CONCLUSION: The original combination of parametric and curve isoinertial assessment appears to be a relevant method for monitoring specific training effects. The complementarity of both strength and velocity training programmes underlined in this study could lead to practical applications in profiling training programmes. [less ▲]

La stabilisation fonctionnelle lombaire : Défintion du concept et arguments scientifiques

in Abstract book des Mardis de la Kinésithérapie (2008)

Relevance of inertial fatigue test in sport applications

in Isokinetics & Exercise Science (2008), 16(3), 190

Intérêts du réentraînement à l'effort dans la fibromyalgie et autres syndromes apparentés

in Annales de Réadaptation et de Médecine Physique (2007), 50(6), 356-362

Explorations algo-fonctionnelles comparatives entre populations fibromyalgique et lombalgique chronique

in Revue du Rhumatisme (2007), 74(10-11), 982