F
or the other types of programs (for
example, the
Pain
and
Recovery
programs), which do not involve
muscular contractions, position
yourself as comfortably as possible.
3. Setting the stimulation
energy level
I
n a stimulated muscle, the number of
recruited fibres depends on the stimu-
lation energy. It is therefore absolutely
necessary to use maximum stimulation
energies so as to involve the greatest
possible number of fibres. Below a
significant stimulation energy level,
it is pointless, for an average user,
to do stimulation sessions. In fact,
the number of fibres involved in the
stimulated muscle is too low for any
interesting improvement in the
performance of that muscle.
T
he progress of a stimulated muscle
will be all the greater if a high number
of its fibres are recruited by the
Compex. If only 1/10 of the fibres
of a muscle work under stimulation,
only that 1/10 can progress. That is
obviously much less appreciable than
if 9/10 of the fibres work and can
therefore progress. You should there-
fore take care to work with maximum
stimulation energies, i.e., always at
the limit of what you can support.
T
here is obviously no need for you to
reach the maximum current strength
right from the first contraction of the
first session of the first cycle. If you
have never used Compex stimulation
before, you should do only half of
the desired programme during the
first 3 sessions with sufficient energy
to produce powerful muscular
contractions to familiarise yourself
with the technique of electrostimulation.
You can then start your first stimulation
cycle with your own specific program
and level. After the warm-up, which
must produce very clear muscular
twitches, you should raise the stimu-
lation energy progressively, from
contraction to contraction, during
the first three or four minutes of the
work sequence. You should also
progress with stimulation energies
used from session to session, particu-
larly during the first three sessions
of a cycle. A normally prepared
person will already reach very signifi-
cant stimulation energies during the
fourth session.
4. Progression in the levels
I
n general, it is not advisable to go
through the different levels quickly
with the intention of reaching level
5 as fast as possible. In fact, the
different levels correspond to progress
with electrostimulation.
T
he most frequent error is to change
from level to level as stimulation occurs
at increasingly higher stimulation ener-
gies. The number of fibres subjected
to stimulation depends on the stimu-
lation energy. The nature and amount
of work that these fibres do depend
on the program and level. The aim is,
first of all, to progress through the
electrical stimulation energies and then
through the levels. The more numerous
the muscle fibres you stimulate, the
more numerous will be the fibres that
are going to progress. But the speed
of progress of these fibres and their
aptitude for operating at a higher
rating depend on the program and
level used, the number of sessions
per week and the length of these
sessions, and also on intrinsic factors
particular to each individual.
T
he simplest and most usual procedure
is to start with level 1 and raise the
level when changing to a new
stimulation cycle.
A
t the end of a cycle, you may either
start a new cycle at the next level up
or do some maintenance at the rate
of 1 session a week at the last level
reached.
1. Placement of electrodes
It is recommended that you comply
with the suggested placements. To do
this, refer to the pictures and pictograms
shown on the inside cover of the applications
manual.
A
stimulation cable consists of two
poles:
a positive pole (+) = red connection
a negative pole (–) = black connection
A
different electrode must be connected
to each of the two poles.
N
ote: It is possible and normal to
have an electrode arrangement that
leads one electrode connection free
from a cable.
D
epending on the characteristics of
the current used for each program,
the electrode connected to the
positive pole (red connection) is
more effective when placed in a
“strategic” position.
F
or all muscle electrostimulation
programs, i.e., programs involving
muscle contractions, it is important to
place the positive polarity electrode
on the muscle motor point.
T
he choice of electrodes size (large or
small) and the correct positioning of
the electrodes on the muscular group
to be stimulated are determinant and
essential factors for the effectiveness
of the stimulation. Therefore, always
use the size of electrodes shown in
the pictures. Unless you have other
specific medical instructions, always
follow the placement directions in
the pictures. If necessary, find the
best position by slightly moving the
positive polarity electrode, so as to
obtain the best muscle contraction or
the position that seems most comfor-
table.
F
or stimulation with the
m-4
system, all the suggested placements
represent the optimal positioning of
this system. It is therefore recommen-
ded that you follow these indications
strictly.
Compex Group disclaims all responsi-
bility for electrodes positioned in any
other manner.
2. Stimulation positions
To determine the stimulation position
to adopt depending on the placement
of the electrodes and the chosen program,
refer to the pictures and pictograms on the
inside cover of the applications manual.
T
he stimulation position depends on
the muscular group to be stimulated
and the program chosen.
F
or the programs involving powerful
muscular contractions, the muscle
should always be stimulated in an
isometric fashion. Consequently,
you should fix the extremity of the
stimulated limb(s) firmly. In this way,
you provide maximum resistance to
the movement and prevent any
shortening of the muscle during
the contraction, which could create
cramp pains and serious stiffness
after the session. For example, when
stimulating the quadriceps, the user
should be in a seated position with
the ankles fixed with straps to prevent
extension of the knees.
IV. USE PRINCIPLES
T
he use principles presented in this section should be considered general rules.
For all programs, it is recommended that you read carefully the information and
advice on use presented in the applications manuals.
97
English
96
English
