HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free All Versions of this Article: 103/1/170    most recent 01361.2006v1 Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dean, J. C. Articles by Collins, D. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dean, J. C. Articles by Collins, D. F.

Turning on the central contribution to contractions evoked by neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Submitted 30 November 2006 ; accepted in final form 25 April 2007

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can generate contractions through peripheral and central mechanisms. Direct activation of motor axons (peripheral mechanism) recruits motor units in an unnatural order, with fatigable muscle fibers often activated early in contractions. The activation of sensory axons can produce contractions through a central mechanism, providing excitatory synaptic input to spinal neurons that recruit motor units in the natural order. Presently, we quantified the effect of stimulation frequency (10–100 Hz), duration (0.25–2 s of high-frequency bursts, or 20 s of constant-frequency stimulation), and intensity [1–5% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque generated by a brief 100-Hz train] on the torque generated centrally. Electrical stimulation (1-ms pulses) was delivered over the triceps surae in eight subjects, and plantar flexion torque was recorded. Stimulation frequency, duration, and intensity all influenced the magnitude of the central contribution to torque. Central torque did not develop at frequencies 20 Hz, and it was maximal at frequencies 80 Hz. Increasing the duration of high-frequency stimulation increased the central contribution to torque, as central torque developed over 11 s. Central torque was greatest at a relatively low contraction intensity. The largest amount of central torque was produced by a 20-s, 100-Hz train (10.7 ± 5.5 %MVC) and by repeated 2-s bursts of 80- or 100-Hz stimulation (9.2 ± 4.8 and 10.2 ± 8.1% MVC, respectively). Therefore, central torque was maximized by applying high-frequency, long-duration stimulation while avoiding antidromic block by stimulating at a relatively low intensity. If, as hypothesized, the central mechanism primarily activates fatigue-resistant muscle fibers, generating muscle contractions through this pathway may improve rehabilitation applications.

plateau potentials; posttetanic potentiation; recruitment order; rehabilitation

This article has been cited by other articles:

				O. Lagerquist, L. D. Walsh, J.-S. Blouin, D. F. Collins, and S. C. Gandevia Effect of a peripheral nerve block on torque produced by repetitive electrical stimulation J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2009; 107(1): 161 - 167. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]