Effects of electrical stimulation on Vo2 kinetics and delta efficiency in healthy young men. Issue 2 (1st April 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pérez, M; Lucia, A; Santalla, A; Chicharro, J L
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 37:Issue 2(2003)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2003-04-01
• Subjects: ventilatory threshold -- ramp test -- endurance -- muscle fibres; ES, electrical stimulation -- Vo2, oxygen uptake -- DE, delta efficiency -- VT, ventilatory threshold; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.37.2.140
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on oxygen uptake (Vo 2 ) kinetics and delta efficiency (DE) during gradual exercise. The hypothesis was that ES would attenuate the Vo 2 -workload relation and improve DE. Methods: Fifteen healthy, untrained men (mean (SD) age 22 (5) years) were selected. Ten were electrostimulated on both quadriceps muscles with a frequency of 45–60 Hz, with 12 seconds of stimulation followed by eight seconds recovery for a total of 30 minutes a day, three days a week for six weeks. The remaining five subjects were assigned to a control group. A standardised exercise test on a cycle ergometer (ramp protocol, workload increases of 20 W/min) was performed by each subject before and after the experimental period. The slope of the Vo 2 -power output (W) relation (ΔVo 2 /ΔW) and DE were calculated in each subject at moderate to high intensities (above the ventilatory threshold—that is, from 50–60% to 100% Vo 2 max). Results: The mean (SEM) values for ΔVo 2 /ΔW and DE had significantly decreased and increased respectively after the six week ES programme (p<0.05; 9.8 (0.2) v 8.6 (0.5) ml O2 /W/min respectively and 27.7 (0.9) v 31.5 (1.4)% respectively). Conclusions: ES could be used as a supplementary tool to improve two of the main determinants of endurance capacity, namely Vo 2 kinetics and work efficiency.