The Comparison of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Strength by Isometric Exercise and Electrical Stimulation in Healthy Subjects

대퇴사두근의 등척성 운동과 전기자극에 의한 근력 증가 비교

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) and isometrical exercise(IE) to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle. The relationships between the strength changes and the relative force and duration of training contractions were also studied. Methods : The subjects were divided into three group. The control group(n=6) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The isometric exercise (IE) group(n=6) performed maximum isometric contractions, and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)(n=6) engaged electrically stimulated isometric contractions, three days a week for four weeks. Results : Results showed that both IE group and NMES group were found to have an increase in strength significantly greater(p<0.05) than the control group at 4 week. But between IE group and NMES group were not found to have an difference in strength significantly. Conclusion : The relative increase in isometric strength, using IE and NMES, may be determined by the ability of the subjects to tolerate longer and more forceful contractions. Suggestions for further research and implications for the clinical of IE and NMES for strength-training are discussed.