THE EFFECT OF ELECTRICALLY INDUCED STRENGTH TRAINING ON TRICEPS BRACHII STRENGTH IN UNTRAINED FEMALES

Abstract

Twenty‐seven apparently healthy females volunteered for a study to compare the effect of neuro‐muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) (N = 7), traditional isotonic weight training (N =9) and NMES combined with isotonic weight training (N =11) on triceps brachii strength. Strength was measured isotonically (1‐RM) and isometrically (MVIC). The NMES group received NMES 3 times per week. The Weight and Weight/NMES groups performed 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions at 60% of 1‐RM, 3 times per week. All groups were pre‐ and post‐tested to determine 1‐RM and MVIC. Strength was also tested after four weeks, in order to ensure the Weight and NMES/Weight groups were training at a minimum of 60% of 1‐RM. Two mixed factor design ANOVAs (Group x Time x Arm) found no significant difference between groups in a pretest (p ≤ 0.05). All three groups demonstrated a significant absolute increase in strength, both isometrically and isotonically. A statistical difference was not found between the three training methods in their ef...