Effects of electrical stimulation pattern on quadriceps isometric force and fatigue in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Abstract

Variable frequency trains (VFT) or train combinations have been suggested as useful strategies to offset the rapid fatigue induced by constant frequency trains (CFT) during electrical stimulation. However, most studies have been of short duration with limited functional application in those with spinal cord injury (SCI). We therefore tested force and fatigue in response to VFT, CFT, and combined patterns in strength training-like conditions (6-s contractions). Ten SCI individuals underwent either CFT or VFT patterns until target torque was no longer produced and then switched immediately to the other pattern. Target torque was reached more times when VFT was used first (VFT: 6.7 ± 0.8 vs. CFT: 3.5 ± 0.2 contractions, P < 0.05) and when it was followed by the CFT pattern (VFT-CFT: 10.3 ± 1.2 vs. 6.9 ± 1.2 contractions, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that for the same initial forces the VFT pattern is less fatiguing than CFT and that when combining train types, VFT should be used first.