Electrical stimulation prevents deterioration of the oxidative capacity of disuse-atrophied muscles in rats.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation on disuse-atrophied muscles.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into three groups: control (C), hind-limb suspended for 7 d (HS), and HS plus transcutaneous electrical stimulation for 7 d (ES). In the ES group, transcutaneous electrical stimulation was induced at 1 Hz for 1 h every day to condition the gastrocnemius-plantaris-soleus muscles.