Electric stimulator and electric stimulation method

Abstract

To provide an electric stimulator and an electric stimulation method that allow an adverse effect of a reaction of muscle contraction becoming dull due to the habituation to be avoided and allow effective training to be continued by acquiring a continuous and irregular muscle contraction effect when performing electric stimulation for applying electric stimulation to a user's muscle.SOLUTION: An electric stimulator for applying electric stimulation to a user's muscle includes: a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair stuck to a skin surface of the user; and voltage application means for applying a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair, and outputting an electric signal of a frequency band equal to or lower than 100 Hz. The voltage application means performs voltage application so that a second frequency group in the electric signal output from the second electrode pair exceeds one time in a frequency difference to a first frequency group of the electric signal output from the first electrode pair.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device and an electrical stimulation method for electrically stimulating the muscles of a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical stimulation (bio-stimulation), which involves attaching electrodes to the living body (user) and applying electrical stimulation to the muscles via the electrodes using EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology, can stimulate muscle contraction (tension and relaxation).It is used in a variety of fields, including training, rehabilitation, relaxation, weight loss, and beauty.In particular, electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles is thought to have a wide range of effects, including muscle strengthening, pain relief, and muscle tension reduction, and is attracting attention as a new training method.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electrical stimulation device (muscle training device) that electrically stimulates muscles, using a sine wave signal of a medium frequency (frequency 1 kHz to 20 kHz). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-142624 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When electrical muscle stimulation is applied at the same frequency for a certain period of time, the muscle tends to become accustomed to the stimulation, causing the muscle contraction response to slow down. The more effective the frequency, the slower the response becomes in a short period of time, and the response also slows down in frequency ranges where muscle contraction is weak, so this does not provide sufficient training effect.

[0006] Electrical muscle stimulation, which simultaneously contracts the same muscle at a single frequency, is expected to have both isotonic and isometric effects. Muscle fibers are classified into slow-twitch (type I) and fast-twitch (type II) fibers based on their morphological and functional characteristics. Fast-twitch fibers are further divided into fast-twitch (type IIa) and fast-twitch (type IIb) fibers. Fast-twitch (type IIa) fibers are also called intermediate-twitch fibers. Because the electricity output from an electrical stimulation device flows more easily through thicker, faster-twitch muscle fibers with lower electrical resistance, electrical stimulation is generally believed to strengthen fast-twitch fibers. Training fast-twitch fibers actively uses glycogen through muscle metabolism, increasing muscle mass and facilitating fat burning. This makes it a mainstream method for building muscle strength and fat loss. However, training fast-twitch fibers results in thicker muscle fibers, similar to those used by bodybuilders, making it less optimal for weight loss, especially for women. The body shape desired by each person is different, and the challenge is that conventional electrical stimulation that only trains fast-twitch muscles cannot fully address this.

[0007] As a countermeasure, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, stimulation applied to muscles is varied by combining the output and stoppage of electrical signals. However, with this method, the electrical stimulation to the muscles is stopped for a certain period of time, so when using electrical stimulation for training, it is not possible to continuously provide sufficient stimulation to the muscles, which causes the muscles to become accustomed to the stimulation and prevents continuous training effects from being obtained.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation device and method that, when electrically stimulating the muscles of a user, can obtain a sustained and irregular muscle contraction effect, thereby avoiding the adverse effect of slowed muscle contraction response due to habituation, and can continue effective training by continuously maintaining muscle contraction.Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation device and method that can promote training of the intermediate muscles through irregular muscle contraction, and can perform training aimed at designing a slimming body style. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of thorough research into the above-mentioned problems, the inventor discovered that when electrically stimulating the user's muscles, by outputting electrical signals of different frequency bands from multiple electrode pairs and providing uneven and irregular potential stimulation to the muscles, it is possible to avoid the slowing of muscle contraction response due to habituation, and to continue effective training, particularly training that focuses mainly on the intermediate muscles, and thus completed the present invention. That is, the present invention provides the following electrical stimulation device and electrical stimulation method.

[0010] An electrical stimulation device according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem is an electrical stimulation device that electrically stimulates the muscles of a user, and comprises a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair that are attached to the surface of the user's skin, and a voltage application means that applies a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair to output an electrical signal in a frequency band of 100 Hz or less, wherein the voltage application means applies a voltage so that the frequency difference between the second frequency group in the electrical signal output from the second electrode pair is more than 1 times that of the first frequency group in the electrical signal output from the first electrode pair.

[0011] When it comes to electrical stimulation of muscles, frequencies below 100 Hz are called low frequency. Low frequency electrical stimulation devices used in strength training can be expected to have isometric and isotonic effects by applying a certain frequency for a certain period of time. Even when stimulating muscles by repeating the same frequency using square waves or by sequentially changing multiple frequencies at regular intervals, the degree of muscle contraction when a certain frequency is output for a certain period of time will be slower when compared to when the output begins and after the certain period of time has passed, and the stimulation will be perceived as weaker. Generally, the degree of muscle contraction is strong at 60Hz to 80Hz for a short period of time, and is small at 10Hz to 20Hz for weak muscle contraction. According to the electrical stimulation device of this embodiment, the first frequency and the second frequency have a predetermined relationship, so that muscle contractions caused by frequencies with a relatively high muscle contraction effect and muscle contractions caused by frequencies with a relatively low muscle contraction effect but that are difficult to adapt to occur unevenly. As a result, irregular muscle contractions can be generated. Unlike regular muscle contractions caused by the same frequency, this results in muscle contractions that continue for a certain period of time due to unintended stimulation being applied to the muscle. In other words, this sustained and irregular muscle contraction effect can produce the effects of pseudo-isometric muscle contractions and isotonic muscle contractions.

[0012] In addition, one embodiment of the electrical stimulation device of the present invention is characterized in that the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair are arranged so that the flow of electrical signals through the first electrode pair and the flow of electrical signals through the second electrode pair intersect. According to this feature, by arranging the two electrode pairs so that the flow of the electrical signal from the first electrode pair and the flow of the electrical signal from the second electrode pair intersect, the direction of the electrical signals output from each electrode pair intersects, making it possible to effectively generate irregular stimulation to the muscles, which allows the user to experience a sufficient muscle contraction effect and encourages continuous use. Furthermore, by using multiple electrode pairs and arranging them so that the electrical signals from the electrode pairs cross each other, it is possible to stimulate a wide area, which makes it easier to include points that effectively induce muscle contractions that vary from person to person, making it easier to install the electrical stimulation device on the target area of the user.

[0013] Furthermore, one embodiment of the electrical stimulation device of the present invention is characterized in that the voltage application means applies voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair simultaneously. This feature effectively generates interference between muscle contractions at two frequencies, making it easy to continuously provide irregular stimulation to the muscles, allowing the user to experience sufficient muscle contraction effects and encouraging continued use.

[0014] The electrical stimulation method of the present invention for solving the above problems is an electrical stimulation method for providing electrical stimulation to a user's muscles, and includes an electrode pair placement step of attaching a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair to the user's skin surface, and a voltage application step of applying a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair to output an electrical signal in a frequency band of 100 Hz or less, characterized in that in the voltage application step, voltage is applied so that the frequency difference between the second frequency group in the electrical signal output from the second electrode pair is more than 1 times that of the first frequency group in the electrical signal output from the first electrode pair. According to the electrical stimulation method of the present invention, since the first frequency and the second frequency have a predetermined relationship, muscle contraction caused by a frequency with a relatively high muscle contraction effect and muscle contraction caused by a frequency with a relatively low muscle contraction effect but that is difficult to adapt to interfere with each other, thereby generating irregular muscle contractions. As a result, unlike regular muscle contractions caused by the same frequency, unintended stimulation is given to the muscle, causing muscle contractions to continue for a certain period of time. In other words, it is possible to obtain a sustained and irregular muscle contraction effect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, when electrically stimulating the muscles of a user, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect of muscle contraction becoming slower due to habituation, and to obtain a sustained and irregular muscle contraction effect, thereby providing an electrical stimulation device and an electrical stimulation method that allow for continued effective training. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative model of electrical stimulation according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a table of sensory evaluations regarding output and bodily sensation at first and second frequencies according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a table of sensory evaluations regarding output and bodily sensation at first and second frequencies according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a table of inter-electrode distances and electrode areas at training sites in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an electrical stimulation device and an electrical stimulation method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The electrical stimulation device and electrical stimulation method described in the embodiments are merely examples used to explain the electrical stimulation device and electrical stimulation method according to the present invention, and are not limited to these. In this description, training devices, massage machines, and beauty devices that use electrical stimulation are collectively referred to as electrical stimulation devices. Training using an electrical stimulation device, massage, or treatment using a beauty device that uses electrical stimulation is individually or collectively referred to as "training." A person who uses an electrical stimulation device to train or massage, or a person who uses an electrical stimulation device to perform beauty treatment, is referred to as "user." Unless otherwise specified, the term "electrical stimulation device" does not exclude massagers or beauty devices.

[0018] [First embodiment] The electrical stimulation device 10 of the first embodiment is an EMS device for training the muscles of a user by applying electrical stimulation to the muscles. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention in use, showing an example in which a user 51 is training the abdomen. The electrical stimulation device 10 of this embodiment includes an EMS device 11, an EMS device terminal 11a, a cable 12, electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b, and an electrode pad 15. The EMS device 11 is a device that outputs electrical stimulation and has a built-in control function for controlling the intensity of the current, outputting electrical stimulation according to a predetermined frequency, pulse width, pause width, and output value. The EMS device 11 controls the time the current flows (pulse width) and the cycle of current or voltage change (frequency). The EMS device 11 is equipped with an EMS device terminal 11a, to which one end of a cable 12 is connected. The cable 12 is a bundle of multiple electric wires corresponding to the number of electrodes. At the other end of the cable 12, each electric wire is connected to an electrode 13a, 13b, 14a, or 14b. The electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, or 14b are fixed to an electrode pad 15 at predetermined intervals. Muscles have the property of contracting when an electric current is passed through them and relaxing when no current is passed through them. Electrical stimulation utilizes this property to move muscles by sending electrical signals. By changing the frequency and other stimulation conditions from the electrical stimulation device, it can be used under conditions that are appropriate for the user.

[0019] 1, in implementing electrical stimulation device 10, electrode pad 15 is attached to the skin of the user at the location where training is to be performed. Electrode pad 15 has a sheet-like shape and is attached to the body of user 51. One side of electrode pad 15 (the side not in contact with the body) is provided with plugs (not shown) corresponding to electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b formed on the other side (the side in contact with the body), and these plugs are each connected to electric wires bundled in cable 12.

[0020] Electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b are attached so as to come into contact with the skin of the body of user 51, and are arranged so as to be covered by electrode pad 15. In other words, electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b are fixed so as to be sandwiched between the user's skin and electrode pad 15. 1 shows an example of a bi-electrode method in which four electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b sandwich and stimulate the target area of the abdominal region of a user 51. In addition to the abdomen, other areas that can be trained include the shoulders, upper arms, back, waist, thighs, hips, and calves. Because the spacing between the electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b must be changed depending on the size of the target area, several types of electrode pads 15 may be used, each with a different spacing between the two electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b and different sizes of the electrodes themselves.

[0021] Electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b supply a pulsed current from the skin of user 51 to the muscles, thereby training the muscles. Therefore, electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b are made of a conductive material. Electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b are formed, for example, from a conductive gel material. Electrode pad 15 is preferably an elastic thin plate made of a material such as silicone, which is insulating and conforms to the contours of the body surface. Electrodes 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b may also be formed by disposing a conductive adhesive layer on the surface of a thin metal plate, such as aluminum or stainless steel, or a conductive rubber plate. Rubber electrodes, particularly gel-coated rubber electrodes, are adhesive, making them easy to apply and less irritating to the skin. The electrodes may be non-adhesive, and may be made of, for example, a thin metal plate or a conductive rubber plate, or may be made of a conductive layer that is conductive but not adhesive. In this case, when the electrodes are not adhesive, they may be fixed using a separate belt (not shown).

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an explanatory model of electrical stimulation according to an embodiment of the present invention. It schematically illustrates how a first-frequency current 16 output from a first electrode pair and a second-frequency current 17 output from a second electrode pair intersect at an electrical stimulation application site in the body of a user 51. Electrodes 13a and 13b represent the first electrode pair, and electrodes 14a and 14b represent the second electrode pair. The first-frequency current 16 is output as an electrical stimulation between electrodes 13a and 13b, which correspond to the first electrode pair, to an electrical stimulation application site in the body of a user 51. The second-frequency current 17 is output as an electrical stimulation between electrodes 14a and 14b, which correspond to the second electrode pair, to an electrical stimulation application site in the body of a user 51, such that the second-frequency current 17 intersects with the first-frequency current 16.

[0023] The control system for the first electrode pair and the control system for the second electrode pair are two separate control systems, which output electrical stimuli at two different frequencies. When the outputs are performed simultaneously, irregular muscle contractions occur around the muscle at a specified depth in the area sandwiched between the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair, as the muscle contractions caused by each output (frequency) interfere with each other. Unlike regular muscle contractions caused by the same frequency, irregular muscle contractions occur because the muscle responds to unintended stimuli at any time, and irregular muscle contractions continue without the phenomenon of muscle contraction becoming dull due to habituation. This phenomenon is similar to the training method for intermediate muscles, and in addition to the traditional training effect of fast-twitch muscles, it is also expected to have a training effect for intermediate muscles.

[0024] Muscle fibers are classified into slow-twitch (type I) and fast-twitch (type II) fibers based on their morphological and functional characteristics, and fast-twitch fibers are further divided into fast-twitch (type IIa) and fast-twitch (type IIb) fibers. Fast-twitch (type IIa) fibers are also called intermediate-twitch fibers. In this specification, slow-twitch (type I) fibers will be referred to simply as slow-twitch fibers, fast-twitch (type IIa) fibers will be referred to simply as intermediate-twitch fibers, and fast-twitch (type IIb) fibers will be referred to simply as fast-twitch fibers. Slow-twitch muscles excel in endurance, while fast-twitch muscles excel in explosive power. Therefore, the load, intervals, and duration of training differ. To train fast-twitch muscles, it is said to be effective to put a heavy load on the muscles and train with a weight that tires them out in as short a time as possible, even with as few repetitions as possible. On the other hand, to train slow-twitch muscles, it is said to be effective to train with a lighter load and repeat the same movement many times without causing muscle fatigue. To train intermediate muscles, unique training such as circuit training is required, which combines training for training fast-twitch muscles with training for training slow-twitch muscles.

[0025] Ohm's law states that the larger the cross-sectional area of the object through which electricity flows, the lower the resistance, and the easier it is for electricity to flow. It is generally said that electrical stimulation trains fast-twitch muscles. This is because fast-twitch muscles have thick nerves in their muscle fibers, which means that resistance is low and electricity flows preferentially through and stimulates fast-twitch muscles. Therefore, EMS can train fast-twitch muscles preferentially. Most skeletal muscles are actually mixed muscles, consisting of a mixture of slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibers, and even within a single muscle, the distribution of muscle fiber types varies by region. Therefore, the frequency setting is considered important for hypertrophying each type of muscle fiber in all regions through electrical stimulation. Generally, low frequencies are effective for hypertrophying slow-twitch fibers, while high frequencies are effective for hypertrophying fast-twitch fibers. However, low frequencies between 20 Hz and 100 Hz are said to be most effective in inducing muscle movement. Frequencies above 200 Hz are not thought to induce muscle contraction. On the other hand, at frequencies around 50 Hz, the electrical resistance of the skin reaches several kiloohms, causing increased discomfort. Therefore, electrical stimulation in the 50 Hz to 60 Hz frequency range tends to increase discomfort as the output increases.

[0026] In this embodiment, electrical stimulation from the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair was output at 5 Hz to 100 Hz, respectively, and a sensory evaluation of muscle contraction and bodily sensation was performed by combining the electrical stimulation from the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair. 3 and 4 are tables of sensory evaluations of the output and sensation at the first and second frequencies in this embodiment, where the output from the first electrode pair is the first frequency and the output from the second electrode pair is the second frequency. In Figures 3 and 4, the evaluation criteria for whether the target contraction was felt are indicated as follows: ◎ is extremely good, ○ is good, △ is average, and × is poor. This sensory evaluation is based on electrical stimulation of the abdominal muscles.

[0027] The desired contraction can be obtained extremely well when the first frequency is in the range of 30 Hz to 60 Hz and the second frequency is in the range of 70 Hz to 100 Hz. Furthermore, when the first frequency is in the range of 60 Hz to 100 Hz and the second frequency is in the range of 20 Hz to 70 Hz, the evaluation is also extremely favorable. In this case, the first frequency is in a higher frequency range than the second frequency. A feature of the present invention is that electrical stimulation of two different frequencies is output. Therefore, for example, when the first frequency is 60 Hz to 70 Hz, the second frequency is not considered to be in the same range of 60 Hz to 70 Hz. Therefore, when the first frequency is in the range of 30 Hz to 60 Hz and the second frequency is in the range of 70 Hz to 100 Hz, it can be said that these are preferable ranges in which the desired contraction can be obtained extremely well. In this case, the first frequency output from the first electrode pair may be in the range of 30Hz to 60Hz, and the second frequency output from the second electrode pair may be in the range of 70Hz to 100Hz, or conversely, the first frequency output from the first electrode pair may be in the range of 70Hz to 100Hz, and the second frequency output from the second electrode pair may be in the range of 30Hz to 60Hz.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a table showing the inter-electrode distances and electrode areas for training areas in an embodiment of the present invention. To properly and effectively apply electrical stimulation to the target training area, the inter-electrode distances and electrode areas must be adjusted depending on the area or target muscle. The specifications and values shown in FIG. 5 are for reference only and are not intended to be limiting. It is preferable to adjust the distances and electrode areas depending on the body size, gender, fat mass, muscle mass, and muscle movement of the user 51, in addition to differences in the area or target muscle.

[0029] For example, if the distance between the electrodes is too close for the size of the muscle being trained, the muscles that require electrical stimulation will not be stimulated properly. Conversely, if the distance between the electrodes is too far, the muscle contraction will be felt but will not be adequate for training. For example, while it is standard to place two electrode pairs at equal distances, intentionally creating a difference can produce the same effect as creating an output difference between the first and second electrode pairs. Even if the same output is being output from each electrode pair, the difference in the electrical stimulation to the muscles can be felt depending on the distance between the electrodes. Furthermore, by changing the aspect ratio according to the shape of the muscle bundle (gastrocnemius, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, etc.), it is possible to stimulate the muscle efficiently according to its shape. Regarding the electrode area, the area of each electrode is normally set to be equal, but the shapes do not need to be the same.

[0030] When the electrical stimulation output from the first electrode pair and the electrical stimulation output from the second electrode pair are of different frequencies, the output of different frequencies from these two electrode pairs is different from the physical sense in which waves interfere with each other to generate a composite wave of different frequencies. The skin and muscles of the human body are not homogeneous; for example, skeletal muscles are a mixed state of slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibers. In this respect, the internal structure of the training target area is heterogeneous, and it cannot be said that muscle stimulation is achieved by composite waves of different frequencies. Rather, muscle contraction caused by electrical stimulation from the first electrode pair and muscle contraction caused by electrical stimulation from the second electrode pair each stimulate the muscles of the same area, resulting in a compound action of muscle stimulation, resulting in irregular and irregular muscle contraction. Irregular and irregular muscle contractions occur because the muscles react to unintended stimuli at any time, unlike regular muscle contractions that occur at the same frequency, and the contractions continue for a certain period of time.

[0031] Irregular and irregular stimulation is more effective in improving muscle contraction habits and causing sustained muscle contraction. Irregular and irregular stimulation can efficiently stimulate not only fast-twitch muscles but also intermediate-twitch muscles. Training the intermediate muscles is effective not only for building strong muscles to create a muscular body line, but also for the purpose of losing fat to create a toned muscle body line, and for building a healthy body by strengthening weakened muscles. Intermediate muscles are a type of muscle in which the number of mitochondria in fast-twitch muscles increases through training, adding the mitochondrial fat-burning power of the mitochondria to the sugar-consuming power of fast-twitch muscles. This fat burning can be expected to have an efficient slimming effect. Intermediate muscles are superior to slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscles in their energy metabolism regulation function. As a result of increasing the number of intermediate muscles, metabolic function is maintained to a certain extent and energy metabolism is carried out even when not training.

[0032] Effective training methods for increasing the intermediate muscles include high repetitions at a medium load setting and the circuit training method mentioned above. However, with regular EMS, muscle contractions become accustomed to the stimulation, so electrical stimulation that increases the number of repetitions is insufficient for training to increase the intermediate muscles. Habituation of muscle contraction also occurs in normal training. Therefore, in intermediate muscle training, such as bodyweight training, which allows for a medium load, uneven and irregular stimulation is added to balance the monotonous muscle contraction, resulting in continuous muscle contraction. In order to train intermediate muscles using electrical stimulation, a method is needed to continuously induce muscle contraction using this uneven and irregular stimulation.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair output electrical stimulation at two different frequencies. As a result, irregular muscle contractions occur around the muscle at a predetermined depth between the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair, as the muscle contractions caused by the respective outputs (frequencies) interfere with each other. Unlike regular muscle contractions caused by the same frequency, irregular muscle contractions occur because the muscle responds to unintended stimulation at any time, preventing the phenomenon of muscle contraction becoming dull due to habituation, and allowing irregular muscle contractions to continue. This has the effect of maintaining continuous muscle contractions. The outputs from the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair are controlled by a program installed in the control unit of the EMS device 11. Examples of control parameters of the program include output intensity, output time, output waveform, frequency, output rise or fall time, output pulse width, and output pulse pause time.

[0034] The physical interpretation of interference waves is that if two output waves are output in the same direction, they will overlap and become a composite output, and if they are output in opposite directions, they will cancel each other out and become a differential output. However, with low-frequency electrical stimulation below 100 Hz, even in the case of a composite output where the waves overlap each other, there is no physical sensation of the intensity of the electrical stimulation increasing. Also, even if the waves cancel each other out and become a differential output, there is no physical sensation of the electrical stimulation canceling each other out. Therefore, from the viewpoint of sensory evaluation, the effect of low-frequency interference is different from that of synthesized waves based on physical interpretation, and it can be said that it is not the same as what is generally said about interference waves in the mid-frequency range. Unlike the effect of interference waves in the mid-frequency range, the effect of low-frequency interference is thought to be a mode that causes continuous irregular muscle contractions.

[0035] Furthermore, the phenomenon in which muscles respond to unintended stimuli at any time, resulting in continued contraction for a specified period of time, is similar to the training method for intermediate muscles, and in addition to the training effects of conventional fast-twitch muscles, the training effects of intermediate muscles can also be expected. By improving muscle contraction habituation, it becomes possible to stimulate the muscles unevenly and irregularly while still causing sustained muscle contraction, and this stimulation can efficiently stimulate not only fast-twitch muscles but also intermediate-twitch muscles. In addition to training fast-twitch muscles to build muscle, training intermediate-twitch muscles is essential for slimming purposes.

[0036] Slow-twitch muscles contract slowly and use oxygen as their energy source. Fast-twitch muscles contract quickly and use glycogen as their energy source. Fast-twitch muscles can be transformed into intermediate-twitch muscles through training. Through specialized training, the number of mitochondria in fast-twitch muscles increases, turning them pink, and the fat-burning power of the mitochondria is added to the sugar-consuming power of fast-twitch muscles, making these muscles an effective way to slim down. Training intermediate muscles is said to be superior to both slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscles in terms of overall energy metabolism, and is said to have the effect of improving metabolic function even when not training.

[0037] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention is an electrical stimulation device characterized in that the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair are arranged so that the flow of electrical signals through the first electrode pair and the flow of electrical signals through the second electrode pair intersect. Electrical stimulation of different frequencies acts crosswise on the same muscle area, providing a more uneven and irregular stimulation to the muscle. This prevents the muscle contraction response from slowing down due to habituation, allowing for continuous irregular muscle contraction, resulting in more effective muscle training. This is because it is possible to maintain continuous muscle contraction and at the same time effectively promote training of the intermediate muscles through irregular muscle contraction.

[0038] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention is an electrical stimulation device characterized in that the voltage application means applies a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair simultaneously. Electrical stimulation of different frequencies acts simultaneously on the same muscle area. This causes irregular muscle contractions to occur around the electrode area, as the muscle contractions caused by each output (frequency) interfere with each other. This irregular muscle contraction continues, allowing for more effective muscle training.

[0039] [Other embodiments] Another embodiment of the present invention is an electrical stimulation method for electrically stimulating the muscles of a user, comprising an electrode pair arrangement step of attaching a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair to the user's skin surface, and a voltage application step of applying a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair to output an electrical signal in a frequency band of 100 Hz or less, wherein in the voltage application step, voltage is applied so that the frequency difference between the second frequency group in the electrical signal output from the second electrode pair is more than 1 times that of the first frequency group in the electrical signal output from the first electrode pair. The explanation of this embodiment is to be replaced with the explanation of the first embodiment, and will be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10...electrical stimulation device, 11...EMS machine, 11a...EMS machine terminal, 12...cable, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b...electrodes, 15...electrode pads, 16...first frequency current, 17...second frequency current, 51...user

Claims

1. An electrical stimulation device that electrically stimulates the muscles of a user, a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair to be attached to the skin surface of a user; a voltage application means for applying a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair to output an electrical signal in a frequency band of 100 Hz or less, The voltage application means applies a voltage so that the frequency difference between the first frequency group of the electrical signal output from the first electrode pair and the second frequency group of the electrical signal output from the second electrode pair is greater than 1.

2. 2. The electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair are arranged so that the flow of electrical signals through the first electrode pair and the flow of electrical signals through the second electrode pair intersect.

3. 3. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage application means applies a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair simultaneously.

4. An electrical stimulation method for electrically stimulating a user's muscles, comprising: an electrode pair placement step of attaching a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair to a skin surface of a user; a voltage application step of applying a voltage to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair to output an electrical signal in a frequency band of 100 Hz or less, An electrical stimulation method, characterized in that in the voltage application step, voltage is applied so that the frequency difference between the first frequency group in the electrical signal output from the first electrode pair and the second frequency group in the electrical signal output from the second electrode pair is more than 1.

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