Subcutaneous tissue thickness alters the effect of NMES.
BACKGROUND
No direct research has been conducted on the relationship between subcutaneous tissue thickness and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of subcutaneous tissue thickness on NMES amplitude and NMES force production of the quadriceps.


METHODS
Simple fixed design, testing the independent variable of subcutaneous thickness (skinfold) groups with the dependent variables of NMES amplitude and force production.


METHODS
Athletic Training Laboratory.


METHODS
29 healthy women.


METHODS
NMES to produce at least 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the quadriceps.


METHODS
Maximal NMES amplitude and percentage of MVIC using NMES.


RESULTS
A significant skinfold category difference F2,28=3.92, P=.032 on NMES amplitude was found. Post hoc revealed the thinnest skinfold category tolerated less amplitude compared to the thickest category. A significant correlation was found between NMES amplitude skinfold category R=.557, P=.002.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher NMES amplitudes are needed for the thickest skinfold category compared to the thinnest skinfold category.
Miller
Michael G
MG
Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, USA. g.miller@wmich.edu
Cheatham
Christopher C
CC
Holcomb
William R
WR
Ganschow
Rosealin
R
Michael
Timothy J
TJ
Rubley
Mack D
MD
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States