Training

Decontracture xxxxxx

Goals: To reduce muscle tension while resting the calf, hence reducing the pain caused by a recent local contracture (less than 5 days).

Benefits of electrostimulation The muscle twitches caused by electrostimulation at a very low frequency relax or reduce the muscle contraction enabling you to return to full fitness.

Explanation and protocol: A contracture is a painful increase in muscular tension which can affect the whole muscle or be isolated to a restricted number of muscle fibres. Contractures can occur after sustained effort such as during a long run or during the effort in a broken session, for example. Unlike a muscular tear, a contracture is a mild injury which still interrupts preparation by imposing a lighter work programme or suspends it for a few days. Diagnosing muscular injuries is always tricky and can only be undertaken by a health professional, who should be consulted if the pain is severe and/or persistent. The Decontracture programme acts by reducing the tension of the muscular fibres and relieving the secondary pain. For the runner, the muscles most frequently affected are those of the calf and thigh. The example below can be easily transposed for treating other muscles by adapting the choice of treatment area and the positioning of the electrodes on the muscles in question.