Abstract
This study compared knee extensors’ neuromuscular fatigue in response to two 30-minute stimulation patterns: constant frequency train (CFT) and doublet frequency train (DFT). Fifteen men underwent two separate sessions corresponding to each pattern. Measurements included torque evoked by each contraction and maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) measured before and immediately after the stimulation sessions. In addition, activation level and torque evoked during doublets (Pd) and tetanic contractions at 80-Hz (P80) and 20-Hz (P20) were determined in six subjects. Results indicated greater mean torque during the DFT stimulation session as compared with CFT. But, no difference was obtained between the two stimulation patterns for MVC and evoked torque decreases. Measurements conducted in the subgroup depicted a significant reduction of Pd, P20 and P80. Statistical analyses also revealed bigger P20 immediate reductions after CFT than after DFT. We concluded that DFT could be a useful stimulation pattern to produce and maintain greater force with quite similar fatigue than CFT.
Highlights
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a technique permitting to evoke muscle contractions via the application of electrical pulses
The present study revealed a significant difference (P
PRE and POST maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) decreased from 333.4 ± 62.3 N.m to 267.8 ± 58.2 N.m
Summary
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a technique permitting to evoke muscle contractions via the application of electrical pulses. This method can produce functionally useful movements such as leg flexion/extension, standing, walking, cycling, and even rowing [1,2,3,4]. It is a useful way to produce force and restore movements to perform daily activities for people with spinal cord injury [5,6]. The lack of activation due to neurological damages after a spinal cord injury renders skeletal muscle highly susceptible to fatigue. In rehabilitation, the ideal stimulation pattern would be one that produces sufficiently high forces while minimizing fatigue. Different stimulation trains have been proposed and compared in the literature [10,11]
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