Kolimechkov, Stefan, Seijo Bujia, Marcos ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1637-6670, Swaine, Ian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3747-1370, Thirkell, Jack, Colado, Juan C. and Naclerio, Fernando ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7405-4894 (2022) Physiological effects of microcurrent and its application for maximising acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology. ISSN 1439-6319 (Print), 1439-6327 (Online) (doi:10.1007/s00421-022-05097-w)

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Abstract

Microcurrent is a non-invasive and safe electrotherapy applied through a series of sub-sensory electrical currents (less than 1 mA), which are of a similar magnitude to the currents generated endogenously by the human body. This review focuses on examining the physiological mechanisms mediating the effects of microcurrent when combined with different exercise modalities (e.g., endurance, strength) in healthy physically active individuals. The reviewed literature suggests the following candidate mechanisms could be involved in enhancing the effects of exercise when combined with microcurrent: (i) increased adenosine triphosphate resynthesis; (ii) maintenance of intercellular calcium homeostasis that in turn optimises exercise-induced structural and morphological adaptations; (iii) eliciting a hormone-like effect, which increases catecholamine secretion that in turn enhances exercise-induced lipolysis and (v) enhanced muscle protein synthesis. In healthy individuals, despite a lack of standardisation on how microcurrent is combined with exercise (e.g., whether the microcurrent is pulsed or continuous), there is evidence concerning its effects in promoting body fat reduction, skeletal muscle remodelling and growth as well as attenuating delayed onset muscle soreness. The greatest hindrance to understanding the combined effects of microcurrent and exercise is the variability of the implemented protocols, which adds further challenges to identifying the mechanisms, optimal patterns of current(s) and methodology of application. Future studies should standardise microcurrent protocols by accurately describing the used current [e.g., intensity (μA), frequency (Hz), application time (minutes) and treatment duration (e.g., weeks)] for specific exercise outcomes, e.g., strength and power, endurance, gaining muscle mass or reducing body fat.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation; subsensory; non-invasive electrical microampere stimulus; delayed onset muscle soreness; muscle thickness; lipolysis; body composition
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QP Physiology
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	09 Jan 2024 15:50
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/37964

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