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Final Program


Final Congress Guide

Therapeutics

1000 Section - Acute Effects of Electrical Stimulation of the Lower Limb Skeletal Muscles on Brachioradialis Microvascular Reactivity: A Pilot Study

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

    Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

  • HK

    Hina Kawashiri, BA

    Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

    • Co-Author/Coautor(s)

  • HT

    Hajime Tamiya, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

  • KO

    Kotaro Okura, n/a

    Department of Physical Therapy
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

  • CS

    Chisato Soga, n/a

    Department of Physical Therapy
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

  • SI

    Sota Isaka, n/a

    Department of Physical Therapy
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

  • TM

    Tamaki Masatani, n/a

    Department of Physical Therapy
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

  • TY

    Takuro Yoshino, BA

    Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

  • AT

    Atsuhiro Tsubaki, PhD

    Professor
    Niigata University of Health and Welfare
    Niigata-city, Niigata, Japan

Objectives :

Belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) involves attaching belt electrodes to the waist, distal thighs, and distal lower legs, enabling simultaneous stimulation of the thigh and lower leg muscle groups. We previously showed that a single B-SES session enhances microvascular reactivity in the gastrocnemius muscle of healthy adults. However, the effects of B-SES on microvascular reactivity in the skeletal muscles of the upper limbs remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the acute effects of B-SES on microvascular reactivity in the brachioradialis muscles. We hypothesized that lactate accumulation induced by B-SES improves microvascular reactivity in the skeletal muscles of the upper limb.

Design:

Eight healthy young adults with no regular exercise habits participated in this study (target sample size: 16). B-SES was applied for 30 minutes at 4 Hz, with repeated single contractions. Tissue oxygen saturation (StO2, %) of the brachioradialis muscle was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. A cuff was placed around the distal upper arm and inflated to 250 mmHg for 5 minutes, then rapidly deflated. The slope of the increase in StO2 during the 10 seconds immediately following cuff release (StO2 upslope, %･s-1) was used as an index of brachioradialis microvascular reactivity. Blood lactate levels (LA, mmol･L-1) were measured via fingertip blood sampling. All measurements were collected before and after stimulation and analyzed with a paired t-test.

Results:

There was no significant change in StO2 upslope before and after stimulation (pre: 1.21±0.75, post: 1.32±0.47%･s-1, p=0.15). LA increased significantly(pre: 1.58±0.32, post: 4.08 ± 2.30 mmol･L-1, p=0.03).

Conclusion:

B-SES may increase blood lactate concentration and improve microvascular reactivity in the brachioradialis muscle. As this is a preliminary investigation, measurements will continue until the target number of subjects is reached.