Questions and answers regarding Compex muscle stimulation

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How does electric stimulation work?

The principle of electric stimulation is to stimulate the peripheral nerve fibres with small electric impulses that are transmitted through the surface. Thereby, those processes are imitated that are involved in the muscle contraction under control of your brain. The muscle is not able to differentiate between deliberate and electric-induced contractions. The caused muscle work is always the same.

How are security and effectiveness ensured?

The electric stimulation with Compex devices is performed by means of "optimal" impulses. These are produced in the device by electronic elements of high quality. The impulses emited from the current generator are perfectly rectangular, biphaseal, and symmetrical. Furthermore, the impulses have to be relatively strong in order to reach the effectiveness. The security is guaranteed because the current is always under control in a perfect way.

How are the electric impulses transmitted?

The transmission is done by means of electrodes that are attached on specified positions of the body. The variety of the size of electrodes and their placement on the muscles are important for the effect of this technology. Therefore, please adhere strictly to the instructions with due care.
In order to localize precisely your individual stimulation point, you can move the positive electrode and continue with the same pulse intensity until you have found the point of the strongest muscle contraction.

Are there any health risks when the item is used?

There are no health risks at all as long as the instructions are followed. Even if the electrodes are place in an inaccurate way, there are no risks. Slight deviations from the exact motor point can be compensated by the pulse intensity. Injuries because of too high currents are impossible because the current increases constantly during the contraction phase. Thereby, a torn muscle or torn tendon are avoided. This method of muscle stimulation has been in use in medicine since decades. Therefore, there is no risk of long-tail claims.
It is possible that slight pains can occur if plus and minus electrode are too close to each other or if the electrodes are attached too closely to joints.
Exclusion criterias are: abdomen area in case of pregnancy, epilepsy, pacemaker, and the use in head area.

How long can the electrodes be used?

According to your skin type, the same electrodes can be used 20-25 times. There are more than 30 usages possible if the skin is fat-free or shaved. If the adhesion of the electrodes gets loose, those have to be replaced. The optimal transmission of the electric impulse is only guaranteed if the electrodes adhere well. The delivery of the device includes 4 bags with 8 small and 4 large electrodes. Additional electrodes can be bought later.

Does the Compex also train the aerobic endurance?

Yes. The endurance performance can be increased by an improvement of the local aerobic metabolism capacity of the muscle (increase of capilarries as well as oxidative enzyme capacity).
A study with cross-country skiers regarding the improvement of the aerobic capacity indicates an improvement of endurance and performance of the upper extremity after a Compex workout (Leipzig 1999).

Is a reduction of fat possible by using the Compex?

The local muscle stimulation results only in an insignificant increase of the total metabolic rate. Therefore, there is no important fat consumption during the workout.

Is tissue tightening possible by using the Compex?

Yes. Thanks to the strengthening of the muscles under the fat tissue of the hypodermis, tissue tightening is made possible.

Is a measurable increase of power possible by using the Compex?

Yes: A study of professional basketball player compared the bounce development of two groups: one group added an extra training with the Compex to the normal workout, the other group performed exclusively the normal (conventional) workout. The Compex group showed a considerably better bounce development than the control group (study: Compex Deutschland).

Is an increase of muscle profile (increase of mass) possible by using the Compex?

The muscle fibres adjust by means of muscle contraction during the workout. The program anaerobic endurance respectively hypertrophy respectively bodybuilding provides this by an increase of the muscle profile (increase of mass).

What are the effects of the recovery/relax program?

This program combines three physiological processes in the muscle. There is an increased blood supply in the course of the program (elimination of toxic degradation products, i.e. lactate) for endorphins output and for muscle release. These processes result in a more rapid regeneration of the musculature.

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