The Effect of NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation on Quadriceps Strength and Knee Function in Professional Soccer Players: Return to Sport after ACL Reconstruction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of NMES program applied in male soccer players (after ACL reconstruction) on the quadriceps muscle. The 80 participants (NMES = 40, control = 40) received an exercise program, including three sessions weekly. The individuals in NMES group additionally received neuromuscular electrical stimulation procedures on both right and left quadriceps (biphasic symmetric rectangular pulses, frequency of impulses: 2500 Hz, and train of pulses frequency: 50 Hz) three times daily (3 hours of break between treatments), 3 days a week, for one month. The tensometry, muscle circumference, and goniometry pendulum test (follow-up after 1 and 3 months) were applied. The results of this study show that NMES (in presented parameters in experiment) is useful for strengthening the quadriceps muscle in soccer athletes. There is an evidence of the benefit of the NMES in restoring quadriceps muscle mass and strength of soccer players. In our study the neuromuscular electrical stimulation appeared to be safe for biomechanics of knee joint. The pathological changes in knee function were not observed. This trial is registered with Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001168741.

Electrostimulation to Increase Peroneal Muscle Strength in Pediatric Patients With Postsurgical Clubfoot

“…This study demonstrates that administering NMES in conjunction with physical therapy has better results than physical therapy alone for strengthening muscles. NMES has not been used very often in the treatment of clubfoot, but it has been used as part of the treatment for many other diseases and in otherwise healthy people, especially athletes, and all of the studies have shown, as ours did, that there is an increase in strength of different muscles after treatment (13,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). However, for the CC treatment, there is only one report to date, and its sample was small (n = 8) compared to the current contribution (n = 20) (20).…”

Changes in quadriceps muscle girth after anterior cruciate ligament injury followed by electrostimulation combined with high protein diet and exercises (ARPwave method)

“…Taradaj et al [2] investigated the influence of electrostimulation on muscle power among athletes after ACL reconstruction. They observed a 28.7% increase of the quadriceps muscle strength in the post-operation group which underwent electrostimulation therapy.…”

“…After 10 days of weight maintenance (WM), there was 21-day ED. Body composition and protein synthesis were evaluated during WM (days [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and ED (days 30-31). Loss of (p < 0.05) 3.2 ± 0.2 kg during ED did not depend on the protein diet.…”

“…Elderly and physically inactive people may also suffer from injuries. These are often caused by tearing the front anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which makes it considerably more difficult or impossible to stay physically active or even walk [1][2][3][4]. Regaining strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle after such an injury is a huge challenge for patients and therapists.…”

“…Therefore, they should be recommended by doctors [9]. A number of studies show that the NMES therapy should supplement physical exercises [2,10].…”