The effect of Integrated Volitional control Electrical Stimulator on learning the muscle strengthening exercise for intrinsic foot muscle

Abstract

Objectives: The Short Foot exercise (SFex) is a useful strengthening exercise in activating the intrinsic foot muscles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Integrated Volitional control Electrical Stimulator (IVES) on learning the SFex. Methods: Sixteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Subjects were randomly allocated to control group or IVES group. Control group practiced the SF exercise for 5 minutes using the conventional method. IVES group used IVES in addition to the conventional method. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of abductor hallucis muscle (ABH), flexor hallucis longus muscle, tibialis anterior muscle and peroneus longus muscle during the SF exercise were measured before and after 5 minutes of practicing the SF exercise. Results: IVES group showed significantly increased EMG activity of ABH from the activity before practice. Moreover, the increase in the EMG activity of ABH was significantly larger in IVES group than in control group. Conclusions: These results suggested that IVES is one of the effective methods to facilitate learning of the SF exercise.