EFFECTS OF SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY ON THE QUADRICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLE TORQUE DURING NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND VOLUNTARY CONTRACTION IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Introduction: The influence of the heat effects on muscle torque in males and females is still unknown, especially when associated with electrical stimulation. Objectives: To assess the effects of shortwave diathermy (SWD) on voluntary and electrically induced torque in healthy males and females, and to assess the discomfort produced by electrical stimulation. Methods: Twenty-six subjects participated in the study. Voluntary and electrically induced torque was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The subjects were asked to attend 4 different sessions: measurement of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); MVC after SWD; maximal electrically induced torque (MEIT); MEIT after SWD. Discomfort during MEIT was measured using a visual analogue scale. Results: MEIT was higher in males after SWD (p = 0.030). Females presented more discomfort during MEIT after SWD application when compared with male subjects (p = 0.044). Conclusion: SWD did not affect the MVC; however, there was increase in MEIT after SWD in males and discomfort increase in females.