Compex Muscle stimulation (NMES) update #2 (4 weeks into training)

-

So it's week 4 of training with the Compex

Update:

DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) -

This is still occurring although it is manageable and I haven't needed to use the recovery setting so much.

Strength:

So obviously I had some big gains in the first 2 week and this has slowed, which is to be expected. 

Week 4:

Ex
Start
Wk 2
Wk 4
Deadlift
90KG
105KG

(17% increase)
115KG

(9.5% increase from week 2)

(28% increase from baseline)
Seated
Dumb
bell
shoulder
press
16.5KG
19KG

(15% increase)
21.5KG

(13% increase from week 2)

(30% increase from baseline)
Lat Pull down
50KG
70KG

(40% increase)
75KG

(7% increase from week 2)

(50% increase from baseline)


So I have managed to surpass Compex's prediction of a 27% increase in strength with 28% at worst and 50% at best strength gains in 4 weeks and this is with 8 to go!!!

The Compex itself:

So not much has changed except the muscle contraction strength is the limiting factor now rather than the electricity itself. I have been able to increase intensity.

Another question: Can the Compex make me lift more while it is contracting with me?


At first I thought that it might be able to do this, as theoretically it should be able to recruit more motor units than you can voluntarily but I don't think it works in practice. This is because an eccentric contraction requires less force than a concentric one. So for example, if the intensity was so high on a squat that it could push you back up then you can't get down in the first place. I have encountered this on my squats making it impossible to descend my squat. I turned it up so high that with the weight on a barbell I just couldn't unlock my knees and descend. 

But..

Maybe it can work with one rep on a deadlift but you would have to drop the weight at the top as you would still be unable to lower it back to the floor.


Is there another way around this though?


Maybe? The newer units have got an ability to program them so I don't know yet but if you could set it at an intensity than was just enough to eccentrically lower for 1-2 seconds and then fire up to an intensity that can concentrically raise you back up for 1-2 seconds then repeat and finish after the reps you want to do, then you are in business. 

(Possibly?) 

Why possibly? 

Because I'm not sure yet, if you can tolerate this level of muscular contraction. However if you could and you did this progressively then you could train heavier and the strengthening effect would be better than you could normally achieve.

I have just ordered a newer unit so will experiment more with the programming element and will report back.


See you in 2 weeks for my next update!



Telephone: 01782 771861
Mobile: 07866195914
Email: mathewhawkesphysiotherapy@gmail.com

Comments

  1. Unknown7 March 2017 at 03:24

    Due to the various advantages of physiotherapy treatment, it is highly recommended these days. People who want to go for physiotherapy treatment and looking for the best Physiotherapist in Punjab then they must visit our website. Here at our center, we offer best treatments at very affordable rates.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr aggarwal Physio13 March 2018 at 23:54

    Nice and Excellent Post.
    It is helpful to every one. I am looking your another valuable post.
    Thanks for sharing with with us.
    Quality physiotherapy in Noida

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Patella Tendinopathy

-
Image
I hear different terminology used all the time, so what is tendinitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy? Tendinopathy: This is a broad term encompassing painful conditions occurring in and around tendons, which includes tendinitis and tendinosis. Tendinitis: This basically means inflammation of a tendon. Tendinosis:  This means degeneration of tendon (Meaning cumulative damage). So what does this mean to me? For a long time tendinitis was the term used and it was considered that injured tendons were simply inflamed. Then the thinking shifted to the thought that there was little or no inflammation present in these conditions (Andres & Murrell 2008). However as is with research, the thinking is changing again: There may be an inflammatory response associated with chronic tendinopathy, even though recent opinions had decided it to be non-inflammatory (Rees 2013). So both types can occur! This is important as the way that you treat each one has to...
Read more

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

-
Image
Heard of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome? Probably not but you may have heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Well they are similar but Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is in the wrist and hand whereas Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is in the Elbow. What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome? Basically it is a compression neuropathy, which means that a nerve is "trapped”. The nerve at fault in this case is the ulna nerve and where it gets “trapped” is in the cubital tunnel of the elbow: See the below picture: How common is it? It is the second most common compression neuropathy in the upper limb (Palmer & Hughes 2009). What causes it? A common cause is frequent bending of the elbow or constant repetitive pressure on the elbow itself. This then irritates the nerve and it is irritated too much then it becomes a “neuropathy”. What are the symptoms? The patient will complain of pain and numbness in the ring and little finger and weakness is common. If left untreated then this ...
Read more

The case of the clicky hip (AKA: Snapping hip syndrome)

-
Image
Ever wondered what the click in your hip is? Firstly you need to know a little about the anatomy of the area. Bones: Ilium, Ischium, Pubis, Femur: Ilium: Acetabulum (lunate surface, margin of acetabulum) Anterior inferior iliac spine Anterior superior iliac spine Ala (wing of ilium) (gluteal surface and iliac fossa)) Iliac crest (outer lip, tuberculum, intermediate zone, inner lip) Gluteal lines (anterior, inferior and posterior) Posterior superior iliac spine Posterior inferior iliac spine Greater sciatic notch Body of Ilium Illiopubic eminence Arcuate line Auricular surface for the sacrum Iliac tuberosity Ischium: Ischial spine Lesser sciatic notch Body of Ischium Ischial tuberosity Ramus of ischium Obturator foramen Acetabulum Acetabular notch Pubis: Superior pubic ramus Pubic tubercle Obturator crest Inferior pubic ramus Acetabulum Pecten pubis (pectineal line) Symphyseal surface Obt...
Read more