Date of Award

2026-08-01

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Kinesiology

Advisor(s)

Sudip Bajpeyi

Abstract

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has emerged as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for improving glucose metabolism by eliciting involuntary skeletal muscle contractions. While previous studies have demonstrated that NMES can enhance glucose uptake and increase energy expenditure, the influence of feeding status on the metabolic response to NMES remains unclear. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether nutritional status (fasted versus fed) modifies the acute metabolic responses to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), as assessed by measures of glycemic control, resting energy expenditure, and substrate utilization in healthy adults. Methods: A randomized crossover study was conducted in which participants completed three experimental conditions: control (no NMES), fasted NMES, and fed NMES, separated by washout periods. Glycemic responses were assessed using a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), while resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured using indirect calorimetry. Primary outcomes included OGTT glucose responses, average glucose concentration, glycemic variability, glucose area under the curve (AUC), REE, and RQ. Results: Acute NMES performed in either the fasted or fed state did not produce significant differences in OGTT glucose responses, average glucose concentration, glycemic variability, or 2-hour and 3-hour glucose AUC compared with the control condition. Likewise, respiratory quotient did not differ significantly among the experimental conditions, suggesting that feeding status did not substantially influence substrate utilization during the acute intervention. In contrast, resting energy expenditure was significantly higher during the fasted NMES condition than during the fed condition, indicating a greater metabolic demand when NMES was applied after an overnight fast. Conclusion: Feeding status did not significantly influence the acute effects of NMES on glycemic control in healthy adults. However, NMES performed in the fasted state increased resting energy expenditure without altering substrate utilization. These findings suggest that although acute NMES may not differentially improve glucose regulation according to feeding status, fasting may enhance its thermogenic response. Future studies involving larger sample sizes, repeated NMES interventions, and populations with impaired glucose metabolism are warranted to determine whether these findings translate into clinically meaningful metabolic benefits. Keywords: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, NMES, feeding status, fasting, glycemic control, continuous glucose monitoring, oral glucose tolerance test, resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, metabolism.

Language

en

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Size

52 p.

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Seyram Yawa Azagloh

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