CROSS-EDUCATION EFFECT OBSERVED IN VOLUIUTARY AND ELECTROMYOSTIMULATION STRENGTH TRAINING

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This study investigated the effects of four weeks of unilateral electromyostimulation(EMS) versus isometric strength training(lM), on knee extension strength of contralateral limb in previously untrained young adults. Subjects performed (IM, n=10) or evoked (EMS, n=10) 40 isometric knee extensions, at an intensity of 65% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force, three times per week, for four weeks. Pre and post training, both legs were tested for maximum voluntary strength on an isokinetic dynamometer, at 0 degls (isometric), 60 and 180 degls velocities. The results showed that the EMS and IM training had a similar effect in strength improvement in these subjects. Both types of training induced significant cross-education effect on isometric MVC of the untrained limb, but not in isokinetic torque. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon require further study.