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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(08): 661-665
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1387763
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Improves Exercise Tolerance in Healthy Subjects

F. P. Tomasi
1   Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
,
G. Chiappa
2   Cardiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
,
V. Maldaner da Silva
3   Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Ceilandia, Brazil
,
M. Lucena da Silva
1   Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
,
A. S. C. G. B. Lima
1   Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
,
R. Arena
4   PT, UNM, Albuquerque, United States
,
M. Bottaro
5   Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
,
G. Cipriano
3   Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Ceilandia, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 13 July 2014

Publication Date:
21 January 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) increases peripheral blood flow by attenuation of the muscle metaboreflex, improving oxygen supply to working muscles. We tested the hypothesis that application of TENS at ganglion improves exercise performance. 11 subjects underwent constant-work rate tests (CWR) to the limit of tolerance (Tlim) while receiving TENS or placebo. Oxygen uptake (V.O2), carbon dioxide (V.CO2), minute ventilation (V.E), ventilatory equivalent (V.E/V.CO2), heart rate (HR) and oxygen pulse (V.O2/HR) were analyzed at isotime separated by percentile and Tlim. V.O2 was lower and V.CO2 was higher at 100% of isotime during TENS, while there were no differences in V.E and V.E/V.CO2. HR was lower during exercise with TENS, and V.O2/HR increased at peak exercise (17.96±1.9 vs. 20.38±1 ml/min/bpm, P<0.05). TENS increased mechanical efficiency at isotime and Tlim (4.10±0.50 vs. 3.39±0.52%, P<0.05 and 3.95±0.67 vs. 3.77±0.45%, P<0.05) and exercise tolerance compared to P-TENS (390±41 vs. 321±41 s; P<0.05). Our data shows that the application of TENS can potentially increase exercise tolerance and oxygen supply in healthy subjects.

Key words

hemodynamics - stimulation - exercise tolerance
 

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