Neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus strength training in elderly women

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of strength training (ST) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the quadriceps muscle in elderly women. METHODS: The isotonic and isometric muscular strength of the quadriceps femoris was evaluated in eight volunteers (69.3 ± 4.8 years) by one maximum repetition test (1RM) with weights and by the device of load cell, respectively. The ST, by the Located Muscular Strengthening (LMS) program, and NMES were applied to the quadriceps in the same subjects, however, in opposing members, two days a week during six weeks. RESULTS: As LMS (10.8 ± 2.5 versus 14.9 ± 2.3 kg; p = 0.001) as NMES (10.1 ± 1.4 versus 12.8 ± 1.4 kg; p = 0.002) increased the isotonic muscular strength. The LMS (p = 0.126) and the NMES (p = 0.062) did not modify the isometric muscular strength. The increase of the isotonic muscular strength was greater with LMS than with NMES (41.1 ± 16.3% versus 26.7 ± 11.2%; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The ST produced a major increase in isotonic muscular strength than the NMES did. The ST and NMES improved the isotonic strength and did not alter the isometric muscular strength of quadriceps in elderly women.