Neuromuscular electrical stimulation glove
The market is saturated with wearable technology for rehabilitation. One that interests me is a glove & or forearm sleeve that stimulates nerves in the hand and forearm (with electrodes). But instead of rehabilitation (I.e. Stroke victims gain sense of touch, injured muscles in athletes relearn movement, etc) what about augmentation?
For example, can electric currents stimulate nerves to allow you to "learn" new complex motor movements that would otherwise take longer to learn without the device? Secondly, can the glove/ sleeve be used to prevent muscle dystrophy by wearing during long hours spent sitting (I.e. Coding or driving)? And lastly, can repeated use of such device increase strength (much like a Russian burst alternating current)?
For example, can electric currents stimulate nerves to allow you to "learn" new complex motor movements that would otherwise take longer to learn without the device? Secondly, can the glove/ sleeve be used to prevent muscle dystrophy by wearing during long hours spent sitting (I.e. Coding or driving)? And lastly, can repeated use of such device increase strength (much like a Russian burst alternating current)?
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Just to analog, if I understand the analog could be associated correctly- a bicep, pretty easy muscle to explain, watch, etc.
I run an electrical current through it. the muscles contract, the same way they would if I had flexed them. I could flex my arms until they hurt from holding as strong of a flex as I could, but the question I would pose would be "Is this a form of exercise that builds muscle?"
Repetitive lifting of comparatively light capacity is a method of training,(Compared to your maximum lifting capacity. I think this is like 50% capacity.) for developing better muscular endurance, if I remember correctly, rather than expanding sheer strength. Lower than that 50% threshold, it may burn fat and trim.
Now, if you were forcing your arm to flex and lift a weight, just like you would without the electricity present, or otherwise have that flex exerting force and having your muscles do their tear apart and regrow a little stronger thing, you could use it for some pretty nice strength gain. But I fail to see how it would be different than lifting weights. ^^'
Application of something that is 'lifting' almost zero load, say maybe 1-5% bracket of 'load capacity' is something that may do nothing to increase either endurance or strength, and I wouldn't be surprised. They may, however, expose muscles to patterns of movement and help them understand desired movement patterns, such as what it looks like a lot of the purpose.
Please don't quote me on this, I am sure there's at least ONE person here who would be able to understand/know this better, and correct me if I am wrong. but this is what I understand what would be going on.