The suspension harness hindlimb hypokinesia are induced in rats by the modified Musacchia method. The animal was able to use its forelimbs to maneuver to obtain food and water. The hindlimbs were nonloaded bearing for 7 days. Electrical muscle stimulation(EMS) was performed to determine the efficacy of EMS as a means of preventing the muscle atrophy. The total body weight and wet gastrocnemius muscle weight are measured.
During the period of hypokinesia gastrocnemius wet muscle weight decreased but statistically not significant and there was evidence of muscle atrophy in tissue preparation. There was no difference between EMS group and non-EMS group.
It was concluded that no significant weight loss but muscle atrophy occured in suspended rat gastrocnemius muscle, and EMS method used in this study did not prevent the muscle atropy.
