title: Characterization of an electric stimulation protocol for muscular exercise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of rest time (ten minutes) on muscular strength production during a training session under electrical stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The isometric force output of the quadriceps femoris muscle was recorded during four sessions of stimulation of five minutes (15 maximal contractions: five seconds on and 15 seconds of rest), on 13 healthy adults. These four sessions are spaced out of ten minutes of recovery. The frequency of current is 100 Hz.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 60th contraction, muscular force reaches 53 ± 7% of MVC. This value is significantly more important comparatively with a training session without rest time inside (27 ± 6% of MVC).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The efficiency of electrical stimulation to improve muscle strength seems to be dependent on number of contractions per session with a high level of force production (> =60% de MVC). The protocol including intermediate periods of recovery seems more effective in order to produce a high level of force during all the training session.
authors.affiliation: BAPS EA 3533, université de Clermont-Ferrand, 24, avenue des Landais, 63170 Aubière-Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dreibati
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lavet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poumarat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult