Electrical muscle stimulation is one of the ways athletes use to increase the strength and power of their muscles. This is a different type of training that involves the placement of electrodes on the skin and muscle twitch using current. It is proven in clinics that it delivers excellent results in terms strength and power. Moreover, this technology is also useful in providing relief from the regional pain. Despite of its proven results, still some individuals have a question to ask; can we use this technology to speed up the recovery.

Combat athletes during a break have their legs massaged. This is done to improve the blood flow. During exercise, blood vessels between arteries and veins are swollen and the flow of blood is restricted. Legs are massaged to restore the flow of blood in these swollen blood vessels.

Effects of Blood Flow

Between-workout recovery and acute recovery greatly depends on the flow of blood in blood vessels. The restricted flow of blood and metabolic waste can cut down the supply of valuable nutrients to muscles. Cold temperature treatments like ice bath can reduce inflammation.

Mechanical Aid to Supply Blood through Trouble Area

An outside force is required to increase the supply of blood in swollen blood vessels. Muscle stimulation makes use of both external and internal mechanical actions to restore the supply of blood in troubled areas. The stimulation can cause a significant muscle twitch that assists in recovery. To find out the effect of muscle stimulation in recovery, researches of Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research has reviewed all relevant studies performed from 1970 to 2012. During this span of more than three decades, thirteen studies are conducted to test recovery variable like muscle damage indicator, soreness and performance.

Electrical Stimulation Does the Job

If you compare the recovery of two individuals, one of them is doing nothing extra to recover except relaxing and rest, and the second is taking aid of electrical muscle stimulators, you will have no good reason to doubt the effectiveness of muscle stimulation in recovery. The muscle stimulation lowers blood lactate that is a metabolic byproduct of workout. Muscle stimulation works wonder when it comes to removing metabolic waste and improving performance.

Electrodes placed on the skin sends light electrical signals to blood vessels under the skin. This enhances the flow of blood in blood vessels through activation of a muscle. Despite of its science-backed results, still some individuals are reluctant to muscle stimulation as there should be the right intensity of signals. When the stimulation is too intense, you may experience pain in the muscle. It does help in recovery if you are using it rightly.