How does NMES work? The innovative technology behind diPulse and the products explained
diPulse was built on a mission; to bring true, valuable innovation in an already saturated fitness scene. By now you probably have heard of the efficient way diPulse products can strategically assist your recovery and make your workouts easier, better and faster. Now it's time to dive into the science behind the magic and explain in a few simple words, why the products really work. Enter, NMES, the cutting-edge, science-based technology currently fueling a true revolution in the fitness world.
The main idea is not new, though. In fact, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be traced back as far as the late 1700s, Today the technology is widely used as a rehabilitation method by medical professionals along with almost all professional sports teams and athletes. While it's so effective, its application never actually reached mass-market, being limited by bulky wired hardware and gel pads with a short lifespan. This is where diPulse comes in; our innovative team managed to fuse NMES technology into smart nano carbon textiles thereby unlocking the full potential of NMES. Now it can be used by anyone who wants to elevate their training or simply facilitate a fast and safe recovery. We have managed to transform the wisdom of the past into the technology of the future, creating a true revolution in the fitness and wellness scene. Most of all, a revolution accessible to everyone.
What is Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)?
NMES or Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation is the delivery of an electrical current via the motor points of a muscle to stimulate muscle activation, typically to create a muscle contraction. The motor point of a muscle is the area where a superficial bundle of motor nerve fibres is most accessible for muscle stimulation. Motor or efferent nerves transmit impulses from the brain to the muscle to contract, whereas sensory or afferent nerves take sensations from the body to the brain to be interpreted as different sensations.
With NMES, we are essentially bypassing the brain in order to create a muscle contraction via the motor nerve without the need for conscious thought. Research shows that even people who are highly mobile, sporty, and fit, are not making the most of their muscles. And this is where NMES comes in.
The NMES innovation behind diPulse
Using NMES has previously been quite a task and has involved leads and wires to attach sticky electrodes to a cumbersome device. The result is that electrical stimulation has largely been used while static and so the benefits have been limited. diPulse's game-changing idea was simple; fuse the electrodes into super comfortable high-technology fabric. Now you can actually train as usual leaving the diPulse wearable doing the extra NMES work comfortably and with safety. Our carbon electrodes are rendered into the garments exactly where you need them, meaning you also don’t create electrode waste. Wireless and Bluetooth controlled, you can train while you use muscle stimulation and push your body further, or reduce your training time significantly by recruiting more muscle fibres during each session. The selection of stimulation programs gives you the option to choose what your body needs, and to activate your warm-up or cool-down sessions.
Success didn’t come easy. Planning the garments and accessories has been a collaborative effort between muscle stimulation specialists, sportspeople, gym users, and anatomy experts. In fact, over 25 years of engineering experience went into developing the STIMMODULE, 7 years of research went into diPulse’s conductive carbon electrodes and endless months were dedicated to perfecting our software and app. The results are game-changing; imagine that such a tiny device as our STIM module is all you need to create the powerful muscle stimulation that will take training and recovery to the next level.
