Each electro-stimulator has its own series of programmes. We will now describe the series of programmes found in the T-ONE EVO II, which is one of the best electro-stimulators from our point of view, and which has an excellent price-qualitiy ratio.
Sports Programmes
Stimulus intensity: the sports programmes (Resistence) Strength, Agonist/Antagonist; are divided into warm-up phase, training phase and relaxation phase. During the warm-up phase; phase 1; the intensity of the stimulus should be regulated so that it produces a discreet stimulation of the treated muscles, so that the muscles can warm-up without tiring (between 18 and 30mA). During the training phases, the programmes central training phases, contraction impulses alternate with active recovery. It is necessary to select separately the two intensities. For the contraction, seen on the display over the full bar, the intensities are: between 20 and 30mA for people that are somewhat fit, between 30 and 50mA for fit people, and over 50mA for very fit people. The intensity of the rest period, between one contraction and another, should be between 15 and 20% less than that of the contraction. During the relaxation phase, the last phase, the intensity should be regulated in such as a way as to produce a good massage effect on the stimulated area, without producing pain (between 18 and 30mA).
Warm-up. This is a programme for usage before a training session or a competition, which is useful in sports which require maximum effort from the very instant it begins. Insensity of stimulus: medium (between 20 and 30mA); the muscle is to be trained without any sort of exhaustion.
Muscular recovery. This is useful in all sports, after competition or heavy training, particularly after prolonged or intense strain, and should be used right after the training. It causes drainage and capillarisation, improving the oxygenation of the muscles and causing the elimination of synthesis substances produced during the effort. Programme duration: 15 minutes per phase. Intensity of the stimulus: medium-low (between 15 and 25mA, with an increase in the last 5 minutes.)
Capillarisation. The capillarisation programme produces a large rise in the circulation of the treated area. The prolonged use of this programme causes the development of the intramuscular capillary network in the quick muscle fibres. The effect is the rise in the capacity of the quick fibres to bear prolonged strain. For an athlete with good stamina, the capillarisation programme will be useful for recovery after intense aerobic training sessions, whether it be before anaerobic training or during periods in which it’s impossible to train, such as bad weather or after an accident. Programme duration: 30 mins per phase. Insensity of the stimulus: medium (between 20 and 30mA).
Agonist / Antagonist. The electro-stimulator produces alternate contractions on the 4 channels: during phase 1 which is warm-up, the 4 channels work at the same time; during phases 2 of training, the contractions alternate between channels 1 and 2 for agonist muscles, and then between 2 and 4 for antagonist muscles. It is a well-studied programme for causing muscle tone in the quadriceps and its antagonist biceps femoris, or indeed the biceps brachii muscle and the triceps. The type of training is based on the development of strength. Intensity of the stimulus during the contraction: follow the instructions indicated at the start of the Sports programmes. The rise in intensity should be gradual and executed without overloading the muscles. If tiredness is produced, cease the training for a few days and begin the ‘muscular recovery’ programme. Programme description, muscular groups in question with a photo reference, and positioning of electrodes:
Stamina strength.
This programme has been created to cause an increase in the strength stamina, that is, to more carefully support intense strain in the muscular groups subjected to the stimulus. It is suitable for sporting disciplines which require intense or prolonged effort. Intensity of the stimulus during the contraction: follow the recommendations indicated at the start of the Sport programmes.
Stamina strength total programme duration: 30 minutes.
The strength programme is used in the field of sports to develop strength which is based on, by definition, the maximum tension which a muscle can exert against a constant resistence. In the training phase, the contractions alternate with active rest, allowing the muscle to be trained without submitting it to stress, improving the oxygenation of the muscle.
The base indication to achieve the first results is as following: two sessions per week, per each muscle group, to begin three weeks with incrementing intensity (between 20 and 30mA). The rise in intensity should be gradual, without overloading the muscles. If tiredness is produced, cease training for a few days and begin the muscular recovery programme.
Strength Total duration of programme: 30.
Speed strength. This programme has been created to develop the rise in speed in athletes that already possess speed strength, and for athletes that are lacking in speed strength. The exercise assumes an intense rythym, the contraction is short, as is the rest period. It is normally done in a cycle of three weeks of base strength with an increasing intensity, which is then followed by speed strength for three weeks with an elevated stimulus level during the contraction (between 30 and 50mA).
S07 Speed strength total programme duration: 26.
Explosive strength. The strength programmes are for the increase in explosive capacity and speed of muscular mass, with very brief consolidation contractions and long active rest periods, to allow the muscle to recuperate after the effort. Normally, it is advisable to first have completed a three week strength cycle with increasing intensity, to be then followed by three weeks of explosive strength training two times per week. The intensity during the contraction should be bearable at the start so as to ask the maximum effort of the muscle, recruiting as many muscle fibres as possible, at an intensity greater than 35mA.
Exposive strength total programme duration: 28 minutes.
Resistence. The resistence programme is used in the field of sport to increase muscle stamina strength, training mainly the slow muscle fibres. The programme is suitable for sports which require stamina, such as marathon or long-distance runners, and so on. Intensity of stimulus during the contraction: follow the instructions indicated at the start of the this chapter for the Sports programmes. Programme description, muscular groups involved with photo reference, and electrode positioning: S10 Tonic contractions.
Stamina total programme duration: 50 minutes.
Tonic contractions. This programme increases the micro-circulation inside and around the muscle fibres, creating rhythmic contractions, causing a drainage action. Can also be used on younger people to improve blood and lymph circulation in the lower limbs, eg. CH1 applied on the right calf, CH2 on the right thigh, CH3 on the left calf and CH4 on the left thigh. The programme runs in the tonic contraction phases two or three on 4 channels, capable of the typical electrical lymphatic drainage. These programmes can be used with the adhesive electrodes. The intensity of the stimulus should be enough to guarantee good muscular contractions during the treatment but not so much that pain is caused (20/25mA). The training is mainly done on slow muscle fibres. Total programme duration: 25 minutes.
Sequential phasic contractions.
This programme causes rhythmic contractions with a stimulus frequency typical of quick muscle fibres. Due to this greater frequency of stimulus, it is suitable for the increase in sequential strength on the muscles. The program is carried out in the sequential phasic contractions of phases two and three on the 4 channels. These programmes can be carried out with adhesive electrodes. The intensity of the stimulus should be enough to guarantee good muscular contractions during the treatment, but not so much that pain is caused (between 20 and 40mA). Unlike the previous programme, the stimulus frequency used in the contraction phase is higher, so most work is done on the quick fibres.
Phasic contractions total programme duration: 25 minutes.
Lipolysis Programme used widely in the field of aesthetics and is suitable for fatty areas; it acts by improving the blood micro-circulation and causes lymphatic activity. This programme produces a considerable rise in the local metabolism, with trophic action, causing the reduction in the annoying ‘orange peel’ effect. Its results can be improved or helped with a low-calorie diet. Can be applied daily. In the main training phase the programme produces sequential tonic contractions; first CH1/CH2, then CH3/CH4, which causes a precise electronic lymphatic drainage. The logic of the application of the electrodes is as following: CH1/CH2 on the extremities of the limbs, eg. calf or forearm, and CH3/CH4 on the upper part, eg. thigh or bicep. Stimulus intensity: enough to produce good contractions, without pain, in the stimulated areas (15-30mA). Programme description, muscle groups involved with photo reference and electrode positioning:
Total duration of programme: 30.
Phase 1 5 min. Warm-up Phase 2 20 min. of alternating contractions on a pair of channels: 6 sec. recovery 7sec. contraction CH1/CH2 7sec. contraction CH3/CH4 Phase 3 5 min. Relaxation.
Reaffirming. Suitable for reaffirming the musculature system, mainly working on slow muscle fibres. Treatment frequency: 3/4 times per week. Enough intensity to produce good contractions without pain, starting at 15mA, gradually increasing the intensity each week.
Reaffirming total programme duration: 30.
Toning. The toning programmes allow the treated muscles to improve trophism. The use of this programme is suitable for after at least one cycle of 15 sessions of the ‘E02 Reaffirming’ programme. Treatment frequency: 3/4 per week. The intensity of the stimulus should be at a medium level, slight pain should be noticed but not pursued, 15-30mA. The first results will be perceivable after 15/20 applications and tend to consolidate after two months of regular treatment. Programme description, muscle groups involved with photo reference, and electrode positioning.
Total duration of programme: 34 minutes.
Definition. In these programmes the stimulus differs from the former programmes in that the frequency is higher during the contraction, which are contractions of the quick fibres. So, these programmes are best applied after having done a toning cycle; 20/30 sessions distributed over a period of 45/60 days. During the contraction phase, at the higher frequency and intensity, in the first few days it is possible that light muscle pain will be experienced in the treated areas. Stimulus intensity: medium/high (between 20 and 35mA).
Total programme duration: 25.
Sculpting. Thanks to the combination of capillarisation and toning impulses, this programme causes a mobilisation of fat in the area where it has accumulated. The electrodes should be placed in a square defining the area to be treated. The treated should be daily and at a medium intensity.
Total programme duration 30 minutes per phase. Suggested stimulus intensity: medium (between 15 and 30mA).
Microlifting. The next programme, with a duration of just 15 minutes per phase, is used for toning the facial muscles. It is a type of impulse which improves the aesthetic appearance as well as the dynamic of the facial muscles.
Maintain a minimum distance of 3cm between the electrode and the eye ball.
The facial muscles are particularly sensitive so pay attention to the regulation of the intensity. It is advisable to gradually elevate the intensity, beginning with a low stimulus level, 3-5mA for example. Then raise the intensity with extreme caution until a good level is reached at which the muscles are activated nicely. It is not necessary to reach intensity levels which cause irriation! The ‘more pain = more gain’ equation is completely false and counterproductive.
The most worthy objectives are reached with consistency and patience.
Relaxation massage. This programme can be used daily. In some applications the programme is referred to as ‘relaxation’. After an intense day of work, particularly for those that are on their feet for many hours, this programme reactivates the blood micro-circulation, eliminating the ‘heavy’ feeling in the legs. In this application the electrodes should be placed and used on the calves, and then placed and used on the thighs. Suggested initial intensity: medium (between 15 and 20mA), with the aim to produce good movement in the treated area. Progressively increase the intensity until an intense massage is experienced; between 20 and 30mA.
Programme duration: 15 minutes per phase.
General relaxation.
With this programme the blood flow and the oxygenation of the muscles is improved, which accelerates the elimination of lactic acid (produced after anaerobic sessions), which reduces pain and the risk of cramps. Thanks to the use of this programme, the treated muscle will be better prepared for the next training session or competition. The programme lasts 15 minutes and passes through 3 phases automatically. Suggested initial intensity: medium-low (between 15 and 25mA), with the aim to cause good movement in the treated area. Progressively increase the intensity until an intense massage of the trated muscle is achieved (between 20 and 30mA).
Draining This programme is intended for draining, and increases the micro-circulation inside and around the treated muscle fibres, causing rythmic contractions which causes algogenic substances (pain producers) to flow more easily, and improving lymphatic activity. This programme can also be used on young people to improve blood and lymph circulation. The programmes work on the sequential tonic contractions of phases 2 and 3, which can produce the typical electronic drainage effect. In this case, unlike the lipolysis programme, the contractions are sequential: CH1, and then CH2, CH3 and CH4. There are no time limits for these programmes; they can be used until the desired result is achieved. The stimulus intensity must be enough to guarantee good muscular contractions during the treatment, but not so much that there is pain (20-30mA). The first results normally appear after 3 or 4 weeks of 4 or 5 sessions per week.
Total programme duration: 25 minutes