Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on energy expenditure and postprandial metabolism in healthy men.

Abstract

It is unclear whether NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) has meaningful metabolic effects when users have the opportunity to self-select the intensity to one that can be comfortably tolerated. Nine healthy men aged 28 ± 9 y (mean ± SD) with a body mass index 22.3 ± 2.3 kg/m2 completed 3 trials involving a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test whilst, in a randomized counterbalanced order, (1) sitting motionless (SIT), (2) standing motionless (STAND); and (3) sitting motionless with NMES of quadriceps and calves at a self-selected tolerable intensity. Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) total energy expenditure was greater in the NMES trial (221 [180-262] kcal/2 h) and STAND trial (178 [164-191] kcal/2 h) than during SIT (159 [150-167] kcal/2 h) (both, p < 0.05). This was primarily driven by an increase in carbohydrate oxidation in the NMES and STAND trials compared to SIT (p < 0.05). Postprandial insulin iAUC was lower in both NMES and STAND compared to SIT (16.4 [7.7-25.1], 17 [7-27] & 22.6 [10.8-34.4] nmol·120 min/L, respectively; both, p < 0.05). Compared with sitting, both NMES and STAND increased energy expenditure and whole-body carbohydrate oxidation and reduced postprandial insulin concentrations in healthy men, with more-pronounced effects seen with NMES. Self-selected NMES is a potential strategy to improve metabolic health. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04389736). Novelty • NMES at a comfortable intensity enhances energy expenditure & carbohydrate oxidation and reduces postprandial insulinemia. • Thus, self-selected NMES represents a potential strategy to improve metabolic health.