A pilot investigation into the effects of electrical muscle stimulation training on physical fitness in an adult cystic fibrosis population

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting genetic disease in Caucasians. [1] Progressive respiratory and gastro intestinal disease are the predominant clinical manifestations of the disease. As a consequence of general de-conditioning, skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance is prevalent among patients with CF. [2] Although higher levels of fitness have been associated with better quality of wellbeing and eight-year survival, training among individuals with CF is limited due to fatigue, hypoxemia and dyspnoea. [3] Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) has demonstrated improvements in muscle strength, exercise tolerance and aerobic capacity in chronic cardio respiratory disease populations, while having minimal impact on heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation levels. [4,5]