Keywords: muscle atrophy, inactivity, hospital admission, diet, muscle contraction

Short periods of inactivity, for instance induced by bed rest or leg immobilisation, are often necessary for recovery from injury or disease. This thesis describes the effects of short periods of inactivity on loss of muscle mass and strength, and examines the use of a high-protein diet and exercise, which may reduce these negative effects. As it is often difficult for patients to contract a muscle during a period of inactivity, the studies in this thesis focus on the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). The thesis concludes that the combination of daily electrical stimulation and a high-protein diet is the most promising strategy to combat muscle disuse atrophy.