EMS is also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation.
Is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses. EMS has received increasing attention in the last few years because of its potential to serve as a strength training tool for healthy subjects and athletes, a rehabilitation and preventive tool for partially or totally immobilized patients, a testing tool for evaluating the neural and/or muscular function in vivo, and a post-exercise recovery tool for athletes.
The impulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes on the skin in direct proximity to the muscles to be stimulated. The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. The electrodes are generally pads that adhere to the skin. The use of EMS has been cited by sports scientists as a complementary technique for sports training.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is the application of electrical stimuli to a group of muscles, most often for the purpose of muscle rehabilitation.
This technique is primarily used by physical therapists as a form of rehabilitation after injury, stroke, or other incident that results in the loss of muscle function. NMES is achieved by passing an electrical impulse from a device through electrodes placed on the skin over the targeted muscle or muscles.
For the purpose of rehabilitation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation is typically used in conjunction with other methods of physical therapy. The intent of is to stimulate the nerves in the muscle with electrical impulses, since they are a natural part of the normal communication between the brain and the muscular system in an uninjured or unaffected body. With this therapy, these natural impulses are simulated and can help “retrain” the muscles to function again.