Effects of the High-Induction Magnetic Stimulation on Viscoelastic Properties of the Biceps Brachii

Therapeutic methods taking advantage of low-frequency electromagnetic fields, or in other words, electrical currents contactless-induced by time-variable magnetic fields, enjoy an ever-growing interest in rehabilitation medicine. A great interest is paid to the question of using non-conventional techniques, such as the High Induction Magnetic Stimulation (HIMS). Based on therapeutic principles, it is possible to expect positive effects of this therapy, but this problem has not yet been considered, and thus, there are no research results supporting the HIMS application. Due to this, the target of the article presented here is to study effects of the HIMS on viscoelastic properties of skeletal muscles, since this research has till been missing. Within the framework of the present study, the HIMS was applied to 15 subjects and viscoelastic properties of the muscle were measured before and after the application. The evaluation of hysteresis curves acquired show obvious effects of the HIMS on viscoelastic muscle characteristics. After the HIMS application, the muscle tone was decreased and the elasticity of the tissue exposed was increased in the sample studied.