[Effect of a course of electric stimulation of the muscles on human orthostatic resistance].

The effect of muscle electrostimulation on orthostatic tolerance was assessed in two experimental runs. In the first run 6 healthy test subjects took part and in the second run 12 test subjects (three groups of 4 persons each) participated. In the first run electrostimulation applied for 1 month (30 min a day) on an out-of-clinic basis affected favorably orthostatic tolerance. In the second run electrostimulation applied during a 45-day bed rest experiment (30 min twice a day) yielded different results. The 1st group subjects who were stimulated with 20 electrodes showed a favorable effect. The 2nd group subjects who were stimulated with 12 electrodes exhibited a limited effect. The 3rd group subjects (controls) who were not stimulated during bed rest displayed a marked decrease of orthostatic tolerance.