Cycling exercise to resist electrically stimulated antagonist increases oxygen uptake in males: Pilot study

Abstract

Abstract-A hybrid training system (HTS) has been developed as the combined application of electrical stimulation (ES) and volitional contractions (VC), using electrically stimulated eccentric antagonist muscle contractions as a resistance to voluntary agonist muscle contractions. The purpose of the present study is to compare the metabolic cost between cycling exercise using HTS as added resistance (HTC) and unloaded cycling exercise (ULC). Twelve male subjects exercised on a leg cycle ergometer. After 5 min rest and 5 min warm up, they performed ULC for 5 min or HTC for 5 min. During rest and each exercise, the steady state of oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), expired ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate (HR) were measured. The values of VO2, VCO2, VE, and HR during HTC were significantly greater than during ULC (p < 0.05). Relative VO2 was 16.7% +/-2.1% of peak VO2 during ULC, and it was 21.1% +/-3.4% during HTC. However, there was no significant difference in RER between ULC and HTC. These findings indicate that the combined application of VC and ES could lead to a greater increase in metabolic cost. HTS seems to be applicable as a resistance of motion.

Training Based on Electrical Stimulation Superimposed Onto Voluntary Contraction Would be Relevant Only as Part of Submaximal Contractions in Healthy Subjects

“…Indeed, there is still a certain consensus according to which VOL + ES would be not more efficient than VOL (with or without additional weight/load) or ES alone in order to improve motor and/or sport performance in chronic application whether with isometric, dynamic or plyometric movements (Paillard et al, 2005 ; Herrero et al, 2010 ; Park et al, 2016 ; Wirtz et al, 2016 ; Gomes da Silva et al, 2018 ). Yet, some recent papers showed that VOL + ES could bring some advantages in comparison with VOL and ES practiced alone as part of training programs aiming at improving motor performance in healthy subjects (Wahl et al, 2012 , 2014 , 2015 ; Matsuse et al, 2013 ; Mathes et al, 2017 ). Hence, it seems relevant to analyze why some studies reported benefit effects of VOL + ES in chronic application in comparison with VOL and ES in healthy subjects.…”

“…From a metabolic viewpoint, some studies showed that acute metabolic changes (e.g., some respiratory, cardiac, biological and biochemical blood parameters) induced by exercise as well as energetic and mechanical output are greater during cycling with superimposed ES than during cycling alone (Wahl et al, 2012 , 2014 , 2015 ; Matsuse et al, 2013 ; Mathes et al, 2017 ). Hence, one can infer that ES during cycling exercise might be an enhancing stimulus for skeletal muscle metabolism and induced adaptations.…”

Electrically Stimulated Antagonist Muscle Contraction Increased Muscle Mass and Bone Mineral Density of One Astronaut - Initial Verification on the International Space Station

“…A future HTS experiment of the lower extremity should be performed in weightlessness to prove its actual orbital effectiveness as mentioned above. HTS can be used with other exercise or training, and we tested it with an ergometer [ 21 ]. HTS was able to be used easily with the ergometer and functioned well.…”

“…During HTS training, both flexion and extension muscles contract simultaneously, and longitudinal force load will be applied on the sandwiched bone by these contracting muscles. Multiple ground-based experiments [ 16 – 21 ] and a parabolic flight verification [ 22 ] have been encouraging as to the possibility of use by astronauts, but, thus far, evaluation in space has not been conducted.…”

Walking exercise combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation of antagonist resistance improved muscle strength and physical function for elderly people: A pilot study

“…One of the major advantages of HTS is that electrical stimulation can be combined with voluntary activity simultaneously. We have shown that HTS could be combined with aerobic cycling exercise simultaneously 26,27) . Walking is one of the most basic moderate intensity physical activities for elderly people.…”