The purpose of this placebo controlled clinical trial is to examine the effects of of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training on physical activity, muscle function, self-efficacy, and blood markers \[e.g., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)\] in older adults. It is hypothesized that 4-weeks of NMES will increase 1) physical activity, 2) muscle function, 3) self-efficacy, and 4) BDNF in older adults. Sarcopenia is a destructive progressive cycle of impaired physical function resulting in loss of muscle mass, strength, and self-confidence in ability to perform physical activities, compounded by difficulty walking and ultimately reduced physical activity levels for many older adults. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a common therapeutic modality used to create involuntary muscle contractions as a means to increase muscle strength, and may be an effective treatment for improving muscle function and physical activity levels in older adults with sarcopenia. Thus, it is critical to explore viable and effective alternative therapies to increase physical activity. The goal of the investigators' is to determine the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) at increasing physical activity and related biological, psychological, and muscle function factors. This placebo controlled clinical trial will use a pre-test - post-test randomized experimental design.
Older healthy adults (60 and older) will participate in this study. Participants will undergo 4 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training. Participants will be randomized into the one of two groups 1) NMES-millicurrent or 2) NMES microcurrent. Participants will undergo pre- and post-training testing for muscle function, physical function, and psychological variables related to physical activity. Blood samples will also be obtained pre- and post-training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Stimulating electrodes will be applied to the quadriceps muscle of each leg 3 times a week for 4 weeks (12 sessions) for 40min per leg.
Change in Physical Activity
Physical activity will be measured from accelerometer data.
Time frame: Physical activity levels will be assessed for 1 week before the intervention and for 1 week after the intervention period. The change in physical activity will be compared between these two time-periods.
Change in Muscle Strength
Muscle strength will be measured by maximal voluntary contraction on a dynamometer.
Time frame: Muscle strength will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention, after 2-weeks of the intervention, and two days after the completion of the 4-week intervention.
Change in Muscle Endurance
Muscle endurance time will be measured on a dynamometer.
Time frame: Muscle endurance will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 2 days after the completion of the 4-week intervention.
Pre-training NMES-related change in glucose
Fasting blood glucose levels will be measured.
Time frame: Blood glucose will be measured immediately before and immediately after the application of the intervention on the first (training Day 1) NMES intervention day.
Post-training NMES-related change in glucose
Fasting blood glucose levels will be measured.
Time frame: Blood glucose will be measured immediately before and immediately after the application of the intervention on the last day (training day 12) of the NMES intervention.
Pre-training NMES-related change in Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a marker of neuronal growth, will be obtained from a blood sample.
Time frame: BDNF levels will be measured immediately before and immediately after the application of the intervention on the first (training Day 1) NMES intervention day.
Post-intervention change in Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a marker of neuronal growth, will be obtained from a blood sample.
Time frame: BDNF levels will be measured immediately before and immediately after the application of the intervention on the last day (training day 12) of the NMES intervention.
Change in self-efficacy of activities of daily living
Self-efficacy will be measured by survey.
Time frame: Self-efficacy will be measured prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
Change in motor activation
Motor activation will be measured by surface electromyography measures.
Time frame: Motor activation will be measured prior to the first day of the intervention and two days after the completion of the 4-week intervention.
Change in perception of pain
Perceived pain experienced during the NMES treatment will be measured by survey.
Time frame: Perceptions of pain will be measured immediately after the NMES treatment on the first (training day 1) and last day (training day 12) of the 4-week intervention.
Physical activity during the 4-week intervention
Physical activity will be measured from accelerometer data.
Time frame: Physical activity levels will be measured during the 4 weeks of the intervention (from the first day of the intervention through the last day of the intervention).
Change in timed up and go test
The timed up and go test will measure the time it takes to stand up from a chair, walk a few meters, turn around and sit back down.
Time frame: Timed up and go test will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
Change in stair climb test
The stair climb test will assess the time it takes to safely ascend 10 stairs.
Time frame: The stair cimb test test will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
Change in five repetition sit-to-stand test
The five repetition sit-to-stand test will assess the time it take to stand up and sit down on a chair 5 times.
Time frame: The five repetition sit-to-stand test will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
Change in 6-min walk test
The 6-min walk test will assess the distance an individual can walk in 6 minutes.
Time frame: The 6-min walk test will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
Change in grip strength
The grip strength test will measure the maximal hand grip strength of both hand using a grip strength dynamometer.
Time frame: The grip strength test will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
Change in arm curl test
The arm curl test will measure the number of repetitions completed with a dumbbell.
Time frame: The arm curl test will be assessed prior to the first day of the intervention and 4 days after the last day of the 4-week intervention.
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