The effect of electromagnetic stimulation on the parameters of muscular strength

A new way to develop muscular strength using electromagnetic stimulation (ES) of muscles during their voluntary contractions has been described. The experiment involved 18 healthy men divided into the control group (CG) and the experimental group (EG) with equal parameters of muscular strength. In performing training exercises (the foot plantar flexion), the m. gastrocnemius of the subjects of the EG was exposed to ES (1.8 T, 5 Hz). The subjects of the CG performing the same exercises did not receive ES. The power torque of the foot plantar flexion in the EG significantly increased (24%) after 10 days of training. The power torque of the foot plantar flexion in the control subjects did not significantly change. We suppose that the increase in the muscular strength in the subjects of the EG was due to the activation of high-threshold motor units effected by ES.