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Changes in contractile and elastic properties of the triceps surae muscle induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation training

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Abstract

Purpose

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training is known to induce improvement in force production capacities and fibre-type transition. The aim of this study was to determine whether NMES training also leads to changes in the mechanical properties of the human triceps surae (TS) muscle.

Methods

Fifteen young male subjects performed a training protocol (4 weeks, 18 sessions, 4–5 sessions per week) based on a high-frequency isometric NMES programme of TS muscle. Quick-release test was used to evaluate Musculo-Tendinous (MT) stiffness index (SIMT) as the slope of the linear MT stiffness–torque relationships under submaximal contraction. Sinusoidal perturbations allowed the assessment of musculo-articular stiffness index (SIMA) as well as the calculation of the maximal angular velocity (\(\varTheta_{\hbox{max} }^{{\prime }}\)) of TS muscle using an adaptation of Hill’s equation.

Results

After NMES training, Maximal Voluntary Contraction under isometric conditions and \(\varTheta_{\hbox{max} }^{{\prime }}\) increased significantly by 17.5 and 20.6 %, respectively, while SIMT and SIMA decreased significantly (−12.7 and −9.3 %, respectively).

Conclusions

These changes in contractile and elastic properties may lead to functional changes of particular interest in sport-related activities as well as in the elderly.

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Abbreviations

α :

Torque constant

β :

Angular velocity constant

CSA:

Cross-sectional area

K opt :

Optimal angular stiffness

K p :

Passive musculo-articular Stiffness

MHC:

Myosin heavy chain

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

NMES:

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

\(\varTheta_{\hbox{max} }^{{\prime }}\) :

Maximal shortening/angular velocity (for in vivo muscle)

\(\varTheta_{\text{opt}}^{{\prime }}\) :

Optimal shortening/angular velocity

SEC:

Series elastic component

SIMA :

Musculo-articular stiffness index

SIMT :

Musculo-tendinous stiffness index

T opt :

Optimal torque

V max :

Maximal shortening velocity (for isolated muscle)

\(\omega_{\text{opt}}\) :

Optimal angular velocity

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to the subjects who kindly participated in the study. The authors also thank Compex Company for technical support in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS UMR 7338, Biomécanique et Bioingénierie, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60205, Compiègne cedex, France

    Jean-Francois Grosset, Francis Canon & Chantal Pérot

  2. UFR Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France

    Jean-Francois Grosset

  3. Departemento de Educacao Fisica e Ciencas do Esporte, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco-Centro Academico de Vitoria de Santo Antao, Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brazil

    Daniel Lambertz

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  1. Jean-Francois Grosset
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  2. Francis Canon
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  3. Chantal Pérot
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  4. Daniel Lambertz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean-Francois Grosset.

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Communicated by Olivier Seynnes.

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Grosset, JF., Canon, F., Pérot, C. et al. Changes in contractile and elastic properties of the triceps surae muscle induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation training. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 1403–1411 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2871-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2871-4

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