Muscle electrical stimulation is a procedure that uses impulse current to restore the functioning of tissues, organs and systems, including the nervous part of muscles, which have lost their natural function after illness and injury. Electrostimulation devices are considered particularly important and significant in treatment for the restoration of the nervous system to an optimal state, as well as if there are diseases that can lead to limited movement, decreased strength and muscle wasting. Stimulation of muscle tissue is carried out with the help of directed excitation and contraction of a certain muscle group, and this is carried out simultaneously in order to enhance metabolic-trophic processes, which are aimed at ensuring the work of muscles with energy reserves. Including with such treatment, an increase in the activity of each of the regulatory systems, each point on the cerebral cortex is carried out.

At the moment when an electric current of a stimulatory direction passes through the nerve trunks, the conductivity of nerve excitations increases, and the recovery of each damaged nerve can also be noticeably accelerated.

With normal or artificial muscle contraction, muscle atrophy is inhibited, even if such a diagnosis is made of a complete violation of nerve conduction. Muscle atrophy should be prevented as early as possible, or you will inevitably have to face the degeneration of muscle fibers into connective fibers - those that are not able to contract on their own. The electrostimulation machine can improve the blood circulation process by expanding the blood vessel, increasing the speed of blood flow. For example, you can visually track such actions in the form of redness (hyperemia) or an increase in the temperature level on the skin under the electrode. The activation of the lymph and blood circulation is carried out in the deep tissue of the interelectrode spaces, in this regard, the permeability of the vascular tissue may be too high, which leads to the opening of the reserve capillaries.

The onset of hyperemia occurs during electrical stimulation and if a direct effect on the walls of blood vessels is carried out by means of a biologically active substance formed in the stimulated tissue. Regardless of what needs to be treated - the muscles of the back, thighs or any other part of the body - it must be borne in mind that the activation of blood circulation during electrical stimulation can be the factor that provides many therapeutic actions. Namely, tissue nutrition will improve, products of impaired metabolism will be removed, including resorption of edema, softening of the scar, if any, regeneration of damaged areas and improvement of blood circulation will occur. Electrical stimulation is considered an excellent way to improve blood circulation, enhance the synthesis of nucleic acids in the body, which is especially important for the normal functioning of the body.

Indications for electromyostimulation

Muscles of the back, thighs and other parts of the body often need electrical stimulation and regulation of the central nervous system, and more precisely, the head and back. Muscle electrical stimulation helps to restore the work of the neuromuscular apparatus, the tone of any muscle groups, total mass muscles. Including with the help of such a procedure, an increase in the vascular bed of blood in the arteries and veins is carried out. This process is also considered important for the analgesic effect.

There are many diseases that require electrical stimulation, and in some cases additional stimulation of the body may be required at home. Diseases can be very different, for example:

• peripheral paresis;
• paralysis;
• nerve plexus;
• nerve root.

With peripheral paresis and paralysis, the laxity of the affected muscle area is monitored. There is another group of diseases such as central paresis and paralysis after brain and spinal cord injury. The latter types of the disease mainly manifest themselves in the form of compaction of muscle tissue.

A similar method of treatment is prescribed to people of different ages and even children with disorders in the central nervous system, after a particularly severe injury and with cerebral palsy.

Contraindications to the appointment of procedures

Each method of treatment has its own advantages and contraindications, which are worth paying attention to when contacting a doctor, since you can not only improve the condition, but also worsen it to unimaginable stages.

For example, if the body is monitored for the presence of chronic diseases of the heart, blood vessels, significant fractures, or the period after myocardial infarction. It is categorically contraindicated to use this method of restoring the body's work if a pacemaker is installed, since the condition may worsen to a cardinally critical one. If there are specific contraindications, then they should not be neglected, since in such treatment it is worth listening only to doctors and their opinions. A competent approach to treatment will allow you to get positive result... You need to take care of your health as best and thoroughly as possible, especially when it comes about the spinal cord and brain. Only in this case is it possible to avoid complete paralysis of the body and, accordingly, a quick death. It is impossible to recover from a certain disease with the help of electrical stimulation, since a whole range of measures will be required to fully restore the body.

In case of movement disorders associated with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, muscle electrical stimulation is shown, which improves blood circulation, metabolic processes in the muscles, increasing the mass of muscle fibers and their strength. In diseases of the peripheral nervous system, electrostimulation, shown in most cases, improves the conduction of nerve impulses along the fibers of the plexuses and trunks of individual nerves.

A more cautious approach requires electrical muscle stimulation in patients with diseases of the central nervous system, since often there are spastic paralysis, which were previously considered an absolute contraindication for electrical gymnastics. The emergence of new sources of impulse currents, in particular the introduction of sinusoidal modulated currents into clinical practice, made it possible to reconsider the attitude towards patients with spastic paralysis. We consider it possible to electrostimulate weakened muscles (antagonists spastic muscles) paretic limbs in patients with small or moderate spasticity, while it is advisable to use sinusoidal modulated currents that easily pass through the skin. Finally, the disorders of urination observed in the rehabilitation neurological department for a number of diseases of the central nervous system (especially with lesions of the spinal cord) are also an indication for rhythmic electro-gymnastics.

For electrical stimulation, in different cases, galvanic, tetanizing, exponential, diadynamic and sinusoidal modulated currents are used. Currently, electrical muscle stimulation with the help of a tetanizing current is rarely carried out due to the widespread use of sinusoidal modulated currents for this purpose, which make it possible to cause a large volume of muscle contraction in the absence of a painful reaction.

With electrical stimulation by exponential current (universal electrical impulses are used), the modes of automated rhythmic modulation with arbitrarily chosen frequency and duration of impulses and active electro-gymnastics are used according to A.N. Obrosov and N.M. Liventsev. In the latter case, the active participation of the patient is necessary, who strains the exercised muscles at the moment of the beginning of the movement caused by the supply of current and relaxes them when the current is turned off. The frequency and duration of exponential current impulses in rhythmic electro-gymnastics depend on the depth of the damage to the nerves and muscles: in severe movement disorders, accompanied by a complete reaction of nerve degeneration, longer (50 - 30 ms) impulses with a low frequency (8-16 Hz) are used, relatively light lesions require the use of shorter pulses (15 - 10 ms) at a higher frequency (50 - 80 Hz).

For the purposes of electrical stimulation, diadynamic currents are also used in the "syncope rhythm" (frequency 50 Hz, pulse duration - 1 s) and sinusoidal modulated currents in the second type of work ("send - pause") with a modulation depth of 75-100% when acting on muscles extremities and 50 -75% - in the case of the location of the electrodes on the face; the frequency of modulations depends on the nature of the disease: in case of impaired nerve conduction and the presence of a degeneration reaction, a frequency of 10-50 Hz is used, and with intact muscle innervation -75-100 Hz or more. Muscle training using diadynamic and sinusoidal modulated currents should be carried out according to the method of active electrical stimulation. In recent years, we have observed a positive effect when using this technique in patients with a complete absence of voluntary movements in the exercised muscles: teaching patients to volitional muscle tension, which coincides in time with the moment of exposure to electric current, contributes to an earlier recovery of lost movements during the rehabilitation process. The ratio of the time of sending current to the electrodes to the duration of the pause between pulses is 1: 1 or 1: 1.5.

Regardless of the type of current used, one- and two-pole electrostimulation techniques can be used (in fact, there are always two electrodes, so it would be more accurate to call the technique single-active - when the areas of both electrodes are not equal and two-active - when they are equal). With the unipolar technique, an indifferent electrode of a larger area is distinguished (a plate with an area of ​​100-150 cm2, placed in the cervical, interscapular, or lumbosacral regions) and a small (7-15 cm2) point active electrode, attached to the motor point of the nerve or muscle to be trained. The unipolar technique is used for lesions of individual peripheral nerves or the need for electro-gymnastics of small muscles of the foot or hand, as well as the area of ​​the bladder.

In the bipolar technique, two equal in area (7 - 20 cm2) electrodes are used, reinforced at the places where the upper and lower ends of the trained muscle pass into the tendon. This technique is used when it is necessary to electrostimulate the larger muscles of the shoulder, forearm, thigh and lower leg. Below are the most commonly used private methods of electrical stimulation. See below.

Demidenko T. D., Goldblat Yu. V.

"Electrical muscle stimulation in neurological diseases" and others

EMS training (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is a device stimulating muscles that sends electrical signals through electrodes attached to the surface of the skin. Thus, impulses are formed, similar to muscle contractions during. There are several types of electrostimulating exercise machines, the most common are Miha Bodytec (Germany) and X-body (Hungary). The difference between them lies in the depth and strength of the impulses produced, but for fitness purposes it is not fundamental.

Electrical muscle stimulation began to be used back in the 1960s by Soviet scientists to rehabilitate astronauts whose muscles atrophied during space flights. In the 1970s, this method was used in Germany in physical therapy and accelerated recovery of athletes.

EMS training principle

During normal physical activity, contractions and, as a result, muscle growth occur. EMS technologies increase the intensity of these contractions using subtle micro-pulses. The effect of such training does not depend on the efforts made, but on the trainer's knowledge of biomechanics, correct position body, frequency, depth and strength of impulses coming from the simulator.

Feelings during electrical muscle stimulation

Impulse currents excite the whole body, as if squeezing it from all sides. Resisting them is quite difficult, so even simple exercises become a serious test. During training, the heart rate increases, and breathing may also become difficult.

How is the workout

Everything is exactly the same as with normal physical activity: regularity (2-3 workouts per week), rest (1-2 days) and proper nutrition... Try not to relax during exercise: the more tense the muscles, the more fruitful and effective the workout will be.

As a rule, one EMS training lasts up to 20-30 minutes. The trainer adjusts the power of supplying electrical impulses separately for each part of the body, based on the sensations and endurance of the trainee: for the legs, buttocks, lower and upper part back, latissimus dorsi, abs, pectoral muscles and arms.

The lesson is divided into three stages: warm-up (), strength exercises and lymphatic drainage massage. The warm-up lasts no more than 5-7 minutes and is a simultaneous exercise on a stepper (or ellipsoid) and performing quite simple exercises... Strength training includes interval training: 4 seconds of work - 4 seconds of rest for 15-17 minutes. Exercises at this stage are already becoming more complicated: it will be necessary to squat, do leg swings, bends to the sides, as well as exercises for the press, arms and back. The final stage is lymphatic drainage massage. Here all you need to do is lie down and enjoy the pleasant tingling sensations.

During the work week, given our frantic pace of life, it is difficult to find the time and desire for a 1.5-hour visit to the gym. EMS training in this regard is a salvation for actively working people. In 20 minutes you get a personal lesson with a trainer and the load you really need with the help of individually selected impulses. Such a workout can be safely carried out at lunchtime and still have time to put yourself in order in comfortable conditions.

Olga Akulina

Why try

1. Saving time

Nowadays, free time is sorely lacking, and sometimes it is simply not possible to devote 2-3 hours to regular workouts in fitness centers. With EMS stimulation, the training time is reduced to 20 minutes. This is enough to achieve success in working on your figure.

2. Working out muscles that are usually difficult to pump

EMS training activates 90% of all muscles in the body simultaneously throughout the entire workout, targeting even the most difficult to reach areas. Unlike conventional workouts, muscles are strengthened from the inside out.

3. Ability to diversify workouts and increase their effectiveness

Professional athletes use this type of training to maximize their benefits by increasing speed and strength. Personal trainers in fitness centers, they are included in the EMS program to speed up metabolism, promote muscle development.

After 3-6 weeks of EMS training, athletes made significant gains in strength, speed and power, according to a study published in the journal Sports Science & Medicine. The development of these parameters made it possible to increase the vertical height of the jump by 25% and reduce the sprint time by almost 5%. A. Filipovic, H. Kleinöder, U. Dörmann. Electromyostimulation-a systematic review of the effects of different electromyostimulation methods on selected strength parameters in trained and elite athletes.

Testing of adolescents has shown that the use of high-frequency electrical stimulation in curriculum two days a week for two months also significantly improved high jump performance Emilio J. Martínez-López, Elisa Benito-Martínez, Fidel Hita-Contreras. Effects of Electrostimulation and Plyometric Training Program Combination on Jump Height in Teenage Athletes.

4. Recovery from injuries

EMS technology is widely used in medicine and professional sports... Therapists use a gentle stimulation regimen to help patients recover from injury. During electrical stimulation, there is no load on the joints, only muscles work Mohd Faridz Ahmad, Amirul Hakim Hasbullah. The Effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation towards Male Skeletal Muscle Mass.

Who is not suitable for EMS training

• If you are not ready to spend a substantial amount. EMS training will cost you a little more than visiting a regular gym.
• If you do not want to strain and expect no stress. EMS training is often called "fitness for the lazy," but that's not true. External impulses will make your muscles (including small and deep ones) literally flutter, so performing even the most elementary exercises will not seem so easy to you.
• If you are an adherent of classic workouts and only trust the weight of the barbell. Some people may like the very process of regular exercise in the gym, and electrical stimulation, on the contrary, can cause discomfort. Exercising in a wet form and tight vest is also not the most pleasant feeling.

Contraindications

Low-frequency stimulation is not harmful to health, the limitations are the same as in normal physical activity... Among the categorical contraindications - only a prosthesis in the heart. If you have a heart condition or have an installed pacemaker, be sure to consult your doctor.

It is better to refrain from EMS training for pregnant women, since to date there has been no research in this area, but after the birth of a child it is great way quickly restore the muscles of the pelvis.

What do you think about the fitness of the future? Write in the comments.

Recovery human body after serious illness, injury or surgical interventions often takes a long period of time. This process can be accelerated by including certain methods that are physiotherapeutic in the complex of rehabilitation measures. Various methods of physiotherapy are used for all kinds of diseases and pathological conditions and involve the use of such physical factors as electric currents, magnetic field, laser, ultrasound, high and low temperatures, ultraviolet irradiation and many others.

In pathologies affecting muscle and nervous tissue, the use of pulsed electric currents is especially effective, which is confirmed by many years of clinical practice.

This method of treatment and rehabilitation, called "muscle electrical stimulation", can be successfully used in almost all conditions that are accompanied by the loss of functionality of muscles and nerve conductors. Therefore, this method of physiotherapy is mainly in demand in neurology, for the treatment of a huge number of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as for the relief of the consequences of severe fractures and for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

What is the essence of the method

Pulse electric currents, passing through the muscle tissue, play the role of nerve endings, through which the muscle receives a signal about the need for contraction or relaxation. Thus, they stimulate muscle fibers to work, acting in place of the nerve trunks affected by illness or injury. Regular physical activity, natural or caused by electrical stimulation, does not allow muscles to atrophy, since all the necessary processes of nutrition and excretion of metabolic products are restored, and muscle fibers get the opportunity to "train", which additionally normalizes their regeneration.

Muscular activity regulated by the peripheral and central nervous system

In addition, regular electrical muscle stimulation helps to restore and "feedback" with the cerebral cortex. Gradual normalization of control muscle mass on the part of the motor centers - this is a huge achievement in the treatment of such serious diseases as, for example, paralysis or paresis.

Simultaneously with muscle stimulation, a positive effect is observed on the part of the nervous tissue itself. Artificial electric currents, passing along the nerves affected by the pathological process, improve their structure and conductivity, and normalize regeneration. The success of this treatment has been proven even in cases of complete cessation of nerve conduction.

An important "bonus" of electrical stimulation is the improvement of microcirculation in damaged muscles. This is due to the effect of expansion of capillaries, as a result of which the blood flow rate increases, and nutrients and oxygen, which are so necessary for regeneration, begin to quickly enter the tissue. This effect observed not only in the surface areas of the body, on which the electrodes of the apparatus for electrical stimulation are located, which is manifested by reddening of the skin and an increase in their temperature.

The same processes begin to occur throughout the interelectrode space, that is, in the thickness of the muscles, which is penetrated by nerves, lymphatic vessels, and many capillaries. At the same time, the vascular walls are toned and strengthened, new capillaries open and begin to function. As a result of stimulation, the formation of biologically active substances is accelerated: adrenaline, acetylcholine. This process further improves the functionality of muscle and nerve tissue.

Electrical impulses strengthen vascular tone and accelerate blood flow

Restoration of blood circulation in damaged areas is becoming one of the factors that ensure the effectiveness of complex therapy for severe conditions. Thanks to electrical muscle stimulation, tissue trophism improves, toxins and decay products are removed faster, scar tissue dissolves or softens, muscles gradually completely restore their volume, mass and functionality. In addition, a pronounced analgesic effect of this treatment method was also noted.

Studies have found that under the influence of electric currents, the production of its own collagen and elastin is enhanced, lipolysis (breakdown of fats and adipose tissue) is accelerated, and the synthesis of proteins and various enzymes is stimulated. This property of the method is currently in great demand in cosmetology, plastic surgery and is widely used for weight loss.

Indications for the procedure

Healers from ancient times used the effect on the human body of electric currents generated by some sea fish. In the 17th century, a positive reaction of the muscles of frogs to electrical impulses was noted. More extensive research in this area began to be carried out from the 19th century, when theoretical material and the results of numerous practical experiments were accumulated. Thanks to the work of many scientists, the main parameters of the effect of electric current on the body, such as the intensity of the impulse and its duration, were established, and the corresponding methods were developed. Since the end of the 20th century, the first devices have appeared and electrical stimulation has become a popular method of physiotherapy, used for a wide range of indications in both adult patients and children.

Children of any age tolerate the procedure well

Loss of functionality and mass by muscles, termination or weakening of nerve conduction, deterioration of skin sensitivity can occur both as a result of "failures" in the work of the peripheral nervous system, and due to disturbances in the cerebral cortex or spinal cord... The resulting paralysis and paresis have some differences. So, with peripheral paralysis, the muscles are characterized by atony and flabbiness, and with central paralysis, on the contrary, they are tense and spasmodic.

The main indications for electrical stimulation can be summarized as follows:

• peripheral paresis and paralysis, loss of skin sensitivity in neuritis, plexitis (inflammation of the nerve plexuses), radiculitis;
• central paresis and paralysis, loss of skin sensitivity in injuries and diseases of the spinal cord and brain;
• conditions accompanied by prolonged muscle hypotonia (after injuries or operations), leading to their hypo- and atrophy.

In addition, there are a number of other diseases and their consequences, in which electric stimulation becomes the most important method of treatment and rehabilitation. Here is some of them:

• smooth muscle atony internal organs(gallbladder, bladder, intestines) after illness or surgery;
• atony of the sphincters of the bladder and rectum;
• neuritis of the face and neck;
• urolithiasis disease;
• prevention of thrombus formation and normalization of vascular tone;
• some gynecological pathologies and disorders during labor;
• scoliosis, joint dysplasia;
• chronic prostatitis, loss of fertility;
• overweight and obesity.

In each specific case, the attending physician and physiotherapist prescribe an individual treatment regimen for pathology with electrical stimulation, necessarily taking into account concomitant diseases. The last point is very important, since, unfortunately, it is not possible to take advantage of the healing effect of impulse currents in some background conditions. These conditions constitute a complex of contraindications.

Excess weight is one of the indications for electrical muscle tissue stimulation.

Contraindications

As with other procedures, conditions that prevent the stimulation of muscles and nerves by electrical impulses can be classified as temporary or permanent. The temporary ones include acute periods of infectious or somatic diseases, skin lesions in the places where the electrodes of the device should be connected. In general, all temporary contraindications can be expressed as follows:

• acute periods after heart attacks and strokes;
• acute infectious diseases;
• acute thrombophlebitis;
• condition after bone fractures until complete fusion;
• conditions after suturing the tendons, muscle tissue, nerves, blood vessels, lasting 3-4 weeks.

Constant contraindications are, as a rule, serious somatic diseases from which it is not possible to completely cure. In these situations, electrical stimulation should be replaced with alternative ways therapy. The following pathologies can be cited as examples of permanent contraindications:

• malignant tumors;
• epilepsy (according to some sources, certain forms of the disease, on the contrary, respond well to treatment through electrical stimulation);
• sepsis (blood poisoning);
• hypertension in the later stages;
• the presence of an implanted device for stimulating the heart muscle;
• atrial fibrillation.

How is the procedure carried out

Many years of experience in the use of electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves has made it possible to identify some types of currents that have the greatest positive effect. So, galvanic (constant) currents with manual interruption of the electrical circuit are used, impulse monopolar and exponential currents, neuron-like currents. It is the task of a physiotherapist to select the optimal type of exposure and its mode for a particular patient.

Electrical stimulation helps with facial paralysis

In addition, before starting treatment, it is necessary to carry out electrodiagnostics, which should reveal the individual characteristics of the patient. This applies, first of all, to the threshold of excitability of muscle and nervous tissue, on the basis of which the optimal parameters of the electrical effect are established. During the electrodiagnostics, it is also found out to what extent the indicators of the patient's muscular response deviate from the average normal values. The specialist determines the current strength, pulse duration and, ultimately, completely develops the therapy scheme.

Depending on what disease the patient is suffering from, the device for electrostimulation is also selected. For example, if the patient peripheral paralysis or paresis, as well as muscle wasting from prolonged immobilization, then a strong irritating effect of electric current is necessary, with a long pulse duration and amplitude, with the ability to change their frequency. These conditions are met by the devices "Neuropulse", "Neuron-1", "ASM", as well as many foreign analogues.

Now portable models have been developed for use at home. With their help, it is very convenient to carry out rehabilitation measures with comfort, surrounded by a familiar environment. They are especially necessary if the patient is limited in motor activity or is generally recumbent, for example, in the presence of the consequences of cerebral hemorrhage (disorders of pelvic functions, paralysis and paresis of flaccid or spastic). For such purposes, the devices "Electrostimulator TIT (ES-D)," OMRON "," Nevoton "and others are intended. It is important to remember that before you start using electrostimulation at home, you need to visit a doctor or call him at home for professional advice.

The procedure itself is very simple to perform, therefore, it is allowed to be carried out at home. Be sure to study the instructions supplied with the device. Various devices use disposable (with a special gel) or reusable electrodes. They are applied to the patient's body in such a way that the interelectrode space captures the affected muscle area. So, with paralysis of the legs, it should be stimulated, for example, quadriceps thighs and other leg muscles, including the lower leg, so the electrodes are located at the upper and lower poles of these muscles, from the foot to the groin. If the arm is paralyzed, then the electric current should cover the entire affected limb.

Portable pacemakers are available in a wide variety of models

Each session lasts from 20 to 30 minutes, and the stimulation of one point should not be more than 2-3 minutes. There are several sessions in total, from 10 to 20, carried out every other day. The number and duration of procedures are determined by the attending physician and depend on the patient's diagnosis and the purpose of the electrical stimulation. It is very important to follow the instructions and technique of the sessions, otherwise the development of side effects is possible. This can be the development of skin inflammation or burns under the electrodes, the appearance of a pain syndrome, the formation muscle spasm or contractures.

Patient impressions

If the patient uses a portable device for electrical stimulation correctly or if the sessions are correctly conducted in the physiotherapy room of the polyclinic, then a positive effect is always observed, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few of them regarding the use of devices for diseases or for cosmetic purposes:

Svetlana, 30 years old: “I had to use a home electrostimulation device after giving birth, when I gained a lot of weight. For a whole month every day I spent 1 hour recumbent training of muscles, applied electrodes to my back, abdomen, hips, and, finally, the desired effect came. The weight is gone, the hips and waist are thinner. "

Vladimir, 28 years old: “I have a strong degree of myopia, so I decided to stimulate my eye muscles with an electric current. The procedure is absolutely painless, one electrode is attached to the hand, and the other is applied to the closed eye. The effect is gradually emerging. "

Maria, 42 years old: “Electrostimulation with portable devices is an excellent solution if your relative is bedridden after a stroke. Largely thanks to her, my father was able to partially recover and now he serves himself. "

Muscle electrical stimulation is not a panacea; it should be used in combination with other therapeutic methods. Their complementary effect helps with many diseases.

One way to lose weight is to relax

or pump up muscles, develop flexibility.

Article-instructions for use

electrical muscle stimulators

Electrostimulator training method

professional electrostimulator

Training with an electrostimulator for muscles in general is a series of impacts on the muscle of impulses of electric current of a special form. During training, the following changes change: the pulse amplitude (the degree of muscle contraction depends on it), the pulse duration (the period of the muscle being in a tense state), the pulse repetition period (the muscle relaxation time depends), the filling frequency - the carrier (to ensure the painlessness of electrical stimulation). All modern terms such as lipolysis are based on this.

Scheme of applying electrodes to body areas

The direct effect on the muscles, the electrostimulator is carried out by electrodes fixed on certain muscles (or muscle groups) using elastic bandage or a belt or wide band with a “burdock” fastener. The diagram for attaching the electrodes during exercise is shown in the figure below. In all cases, the electrodes are attached to the muscle transversely to its fibers, in the middle at a distance of 1-2 cm or more from each other. In cases where the purpose of training is to develop flexion or extensor functions of the muscle, electrodes are installed closer to the end of the muscle, which ensures the performance of these functions. During an electrostimulation session, in order to obtain maximum effect, it is necessary that the stimulated muscle is in a state of static tension (you need to strain this muscle), and also not to allow bending of the arm or leg in the joints. The sequence of electrical stimulation of different muscle groups is not critical.

Alternatively, the following sequence of exposure to muscle groups(see fig.):

electrical muscle stimulator

• deltoid muscles 1;
• biceps 2;
• triceps 15;
• brachioradialis muscle 3;
• radial extensor 14;
• trapezius muscle of the back 8;
• subscapularis muscle and broadest muscle back 9;
• large round muscle 10;
• external oblique muscle of the abdomen 6;
• serratus anterior and rectus abdominis muscle 5;
• gluteus medius, fascia lataus muscle, gluteus maximus muscle 11;
• sartorius muscle and rectus femoris 7;
• biceps femoris 13;
• semitendinosus muscle;
• semi-membranous muscle;
• calf muscle 12.

ATTENTION! It is not recommended to subject the pectoral muscles to electrical stimulation. To avoid the flow of electric current through the heart area, the electrodes should always be placed only on the left or right, upper or lower parts of the body, but never on either side.

To eliminate unpleasant sensations during electrical stimulation, it is necessary to ensure reliable contact between the electrode area and the skin. For this, 6-8-layer gauze pads soaked in 5-10% sodium chloride solution are placed under the electrodes. The best results are obtained with powdered graphite with spindle oil (sour cream consistency).

1. Increase muscle strength and muscle volume

For development strength qualities electrical muscle stimulation is carried out with the greatest possible current (voltage), the value of which is individual and is determined by personal feelings. A sensation should be achieved that the muscle is torn, as it were. This effect is achieved in addition to increasing the amplitude of the signal, as well as the duration of exposure. The muscle is brought to a state of complete fatigue by a series of messages: stimulation-relaxation. The duration of stimulation and relaxation is selected individually, observing the main criterion - the rapid achievement of fatigue. Before starting the session, warm up all muscle groups. It is recommended to train 1-2 times a day; with a limited time, the most important muscle groups are stimulated. The time of electrical stimulation of one muscle is up to 5 minutes.

ATTENTION: In the first days of classes, avoid overwork. The achieved results are saved without continuing training for 3-4 months.

2. Reduction of subcutaneous fat layer

Electrical stimulation allows you to reduce the thickness of the fat layer, activating metabolic processes throughout the body. For this purpose, stimulation of large muscle groups (gluteal, abdominal etc.). The amplitude of the output signal is set to painless and maximally tolerable muscle contraction. Course - 20 daily sessions, observing a fasting diet. A session up to 10 minutes per muscle group. Electrical stimulation is also effective for enhancing muscle definition.

3. Flexibility training

The use of electrical stimulation allows for effective stretching of muscles and ligaments, which significantly reduces the time for mastering exercises that require flexibility (for example, "splits"). This area of ​​application of ES can be recommended to representatives different types martial arts. To increase flexibility, electrodes are applied to those muscles, the “tension” of which does not allow performing this or that exercise (for example, the muscles of the back and front of the thigh when doing splits). The signal amplitude is gradually increased from zero, the relaxation time should be equal to the stimulation time. You need to perform such exercises that "stretch" the muscles and ligaments from stretching which depends on the successful implementation of, for example, the same twine. The combination of exercise and electrical stimulation is very effective in developing flexibility. Affect each muscle for up to 5-10 minutes.

portable compact electrostimulator

All this can be done by a professional electrostimulator - in our country, in terms of price / quality, a stimulator from ESMA is the most widespread. If you need a model that is simpler and very cheap, then you can take Chinese models like these butterfly stimulants: http://ali.pub/2hsngy, http://ali.pub/2hsnt0 or http: // ali. pub / 2hsnjo, or very cheap for a couple of hundred rubles like this one http://ali.pub/2hsod1.

Rules for switching on and controlling the electrostimulator

The "Output level" knob should be brought out to the extreme left position. Then, without connecting the electrodes, set the “Output level” to the maximum, the AM switches to “1”, the FM switches to “0”. In this case, the battery voltage indicator HL3 should light up; the HL2 modulation indicator will light up rhythmically; synchronously to him - to deviate to the right arrow indicator. The indicator of the presence of pulses HL1 should light from a weak to a moderate level (depends on the knob “Pulse frequency”).

Before starting the session, moisten the electrodes in saline, securely attach the electrodes to the muscle to be stimulated, connect the wires from the electrodes to the X1 and X2 connectors of the electrostimulator. Turn on the electrostimulator, adjust the amplitude regulator smoothly from zero, based on the training methodology and personal feelings, the required SI amplitude. In case of tingling, burning sensation, press the electrodes harder to the muscles. When electrostimulation according to claim 1, AM, FM switch on, the pulse repetition rate is 30-100 Hz, the modulation frequency is 0.2-0.25 Hz (12-15 messages per minute), the filling frequency is 2-8 kHz. The optimal position of the adjustments is set according to personal feelings, achieving the least discomfort. The rest is according to n.1 of the Methodology. When electrostimulation according to clause 2 of the Methodology: turn on AM, turn off FM, repetition frequency 100-200 Hz, filling frequency 4-8 kHz, modulation frequency 0.5 Hz (30 messages per minute). When electrostimulation according to claim 3, set the parameters in accordance with paragraph 1 of the Methodology.

Nutrition

Electrical stimulation for the purpose of increasing muscle volume does not relieve the athlete's usual nutritional requirements for bodybuilding. Correct and balanced nutrition in combination with electrical stimulation is a guarantee rapid growth muscles. The use of electrical stimulation in order to reduce the fat layer requires some dietary restrictions. Nutritional recommendations are beyond the scope of this manual; this issue is well covered in sports and popular science literature.

Here's a quick video on how to use a seebee butterfly or bee pacemaker:

Security measures

IT IS FORBIDDEN:
- moving the electrodes during electrostimulation without turning off the power of the device;
- break the electrostimulator-electrodes circuit during the session;
- start a session of electrical stimulation without removing the signal amplitude to zero;
- to engage in a state of extreme fatigue.

There are no absolute contraindications to the appointment of electrical stimulation.

Electrostimulation is relatively contraindicated in the following diseases: hemophilia, hereditary family diseases of the nervous system (progressive muscular dystrophy, myotonia, myasthenia gravis, amitrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, sirigomyelia, multiple sclerosis (in the acute phase), syphilitic dryness, all infectious and infectious chore non-infectious diseases in the acute stage, fever, disorders of cerebral circulation, severe forms of hypertension, skin diseases, rupture of muscles and ligaments, bone fractures.Do not affect the vocal cords, as airway closure may occur. in pregnant women.
It should be borne in mind that electrical stimulation can suppress chronic pain, which is a symptom of a pathological process of unexplained causes.
In all cases, the question of the advisability of electrical stimulation should be discussed with a specialist doctor.

I hope the article was useful to you!