JEPonline Effects of Electrostimulation with Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Thickness and Strength of the Soleus

Andrade SF, Skiba GH, Krueger E, Rodacki, AF. Effects of Electrostimulation with Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Thickness and Strength of the Soleus. JEPonline 2016;19(3):59-69. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) to increase soleus muscle size and strength. Seven untrained males (22.5 ± 1.9 yrs) had one leg unilaterally trained with percutaneous NMES with BFR at 20% of their maximal capacity, 3 times·wk for 6 wks, while the contralateral leg served as control (not trained). Soleus muscle thickness and isometric strength were measured before and after the training period. No changes were observed in both legs for soleus thickness and strength measurements. This study showed that low-intensity NMES training combined with BFR does not induce increases in strength and size in the soleus.