0000000000281922
AUTHOR
Marie-france Petitdant
Neuromuscular Adaptations to Low-Frequency Stimulation Training in a Patient with Chronic Heart Failure
Electrical myostimulation (EMS) has recently been proposed as an interesting rehabilitation tool in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Although its beneficial effects on exercise capacity and muscle strength have been demonstrated, the neuromuscular adaptations responsible for improved performance are not well understood. This preliminary case report was therefore planned to investigate the neural and muscular adaptations to a 5-wk EMS program in one patient. An increase in maximal strength (10.5%) was accompanied by increased twitch torque (13.9%) and slowing of muscle contractile properties (half-relaxation time, time to peak torque, and maximal rate of relaxation increased by 7.1…
Comparison of low-frequency electrical myostimulation and conventional aerobic exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure.
Physical training is recommended as an efficient therapy in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Low-frequency electrical myostimulation (EMS) has recently been suggested as a good alternative to conventional aerobic training. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of EMS and conventional exercise training in patients with moderate to severe CHF.Twenty-four patients with stable CHF (56.7+/-7.3 years, New York Heart Association grades II and III) underwent 5 weeks of exercise training, 5 h a week, using EMS (n=12) or conventional (n=12) training programmes. At baseline and after the training period, patients performed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary test, a 6-min and a 200-…