Evaluation of passive stretching and electrostimulation on muscle plasticity

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare macro and microscopic effects of stretching and electrostimulation therapies on muscle tissue after immobilization. Methods: 25 healthy male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, lineage) were used, randomly divided into five groups (n = 5). They were immobilized for 7 days, then received 10 sessions of passive stretching and muscle electrostimulation, in an isolated and combined way, in the right anterior tibial muscle, which afterwards was extracted for analysis. Macroscopic variables: total muscle mass and length, microscopic variables: number of sarcomeres in series and connective tissue. Data analyzed blindly, stored and treated by descriptive statistics using the Bioestatic 5.3 Software. Results: Muscle mass: there was no gain surpassing the loss due to immobilization, but greater loss was contained with the use of electrostimulation in isolation. Number of sarcomeres in series: stretching and electrostimulation were efficient for the increase, the combination of therapies did not interfere negatively in the treatment. Muscle length and amount of connective tissue deposited in the intramuscular environment: insignificant statistical results. Conclusion: Electrostimulation is more efficient in containing the loss of muscle mass, both techniques in isolation are beneficial for increasing the number of sarcomeres.