Sleep apnea and electrically converting to slow twitch muscles

Training Concepts
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Interesting correlation. There is an FDA-approved device for snoring/Obstructive sleep apnea (exciteOSA) that states it works by helping to change fast-twitch muscle fibers in the tongue to slow ones, allowing more resistance to fatigue causing the tongue to drop back at night.

They say one cause of apnea (soft palate issues are another) are stronger but less fatigue-resistant tongue muscles, so their machine electrically stimulates the tongue for 20 minutes a day to make it more resistant by converting to more slow-twitch muscles.

They cite two studies, see below, which includes quadriceps testing. Of interest if anyone has heard of this used in cycling.

  1. Nuhr M, Crevenna R, Gohlsch B, Bittner C, Pleiner J, Wiesinger G, Fialka-Moser V, Quittan M, Pette D. Functional and biochemical properties of chronically stimulated human skeletal muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003;89:202-208
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Did you find any info on the NMES protocol?

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Man. I’d take that. Some NMES to lower my VLAmax… Sign me up!

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In the Quadriceps study, the participants were recreationally active (basketball, kick boxing, track and field), or not very active.

With the idea that any training will start to shift muscle fibers from more Type II characteristics toward Type I characteristics, it is unsurprising that more “aerobic” capabilities were found post intervention.

Can anyone find a study that used aerobically trained subjects??