UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE Graduate Studies THE EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION TRAINING ON THE STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE OF THE GLUTEUS MUSCLES

Wilson, J.M. The effects of eleclrical muscle stin~ulation training on the strength and endurance of the gluteus muscles. MS in Clinical Exercise Pl~ysiology, December, 2010, 38pp. (J. Porcari) This study sought out to test the effectiveness of using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on increasing strength and endurance of the gluteus inuscles compared to volitional exercise. Seventy-two female volunteers between the ages of 20 and 60 years old were assigned to either an EMS (n=24), volitional exercise (n=24), or conb.01 group (n=24). The EMS group underwent stilnulation 5 days per week for 30 minutes each day at tlie highest tolerable level for 6 weeks. The volitional exercise group completed 3 sets of 10 quadruped hip extensions on each leg, 5 times per week, for 6 weeks. Subjects were tested at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the study. Isometric strengtl~ of the gluteal muscles was tested using a Chatilloil CSD 200 Dynamometer; endurance was measured using a hip bridge movement. The stimulation group had a 15% increase in gluteal strength compared to only a 9% increase of gluteal strength in the volitional exercise group. Gluteal endurance increased by 29% in the stimulation group compared to 26% in the volitional exercise group. The findings of this study show that there were no significant differences in gluteal strength or endurance between groups. ACISNOWLEDGEMENTS "Created on indistinguishable pillars of strength, iiltellectual astuteness, and the i~mate ability to protect, a man is an individual who displays the capability to articulate in speech, derive his answers ffom abstract reasoning, and is the living representation of the autl~ority Christ vested into an iildividual to accomplish all things. ". To my father and brotl~er, I t l~anl~ you both for all of your encouragement and for showing me what it is to be a man. To my beautiful ulanc6, I tl~anlc you for YOLK 11~rturing spirit and always having the words to say in encouraging me to stay the course. To my partner in crime, Meghan Sandve, I've enjoyed worlcing with you tkrougl~ all 72 butts! I would like to thank Sarah Horlitz and Mary Patrek for all their time and effort ill making sure this study went smoothly! To Dr. Jolm Porcari, thank you so much for all of your support! I can say with certainty that because of your help, I an that much closer to achieving the goal and dream that I have set out for myself. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE . ACICNOWLEDGEMENTS iv . LIST OF TABLES vi . LIST OF APPENDICES VII . INTRODUCTION 1 . METHODS 2 . Subjects 2 . Testing 3 . Muscle Strength 3 . Muscle Endurance 4 . Tralil~ilg 5 . Stat~stlcal Analysis 5 . RESULTS 6 . DISCUSSION 8 . CONCLUSION 10 REFERENCES . 11 . APPENDICES 13 LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1 . Descriptive Characteristics of the Subjects at the Beginning of the Study . 6 2 . Average Stimulator Intensity Levels Used During the Study . 7 3 . Changes In Buttoclcs Strength and Endurance Over the Course of the Study . 8 LIST OF APPENDICES . A . Bottom Toner Col~seilt Form 14 . B . Slendertone Stirnulatiox1 Training Log 18 . C . Slendertone Exercise Training Log 21 . D . Review of Literature 24