Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation parameters on specific tension

This study examined the effects of altering surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (SNMES) parameters on the specific tension of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Seven able-bodied subjects had magnetic resonance images taken of both thighs prior to and immediately after four SNMES protocols to determine the activated muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). The four protocols were: (1) research (RES, 100 Hz, 450 micros, and amplitude set to evoke 75% of maximal voluntary isometric torque, MVIT); (2) pulse duration (PD, 100 Hz, 150 micros, same current as in RES); (3) frequency (FREQ, 25 Hz, 450 micros, and same current as in RES); (4) amplitude (AMP, 100 Hz, 450 mus, and current set to evoke the average of the initial torques of PD and FREQ, 45 +/- 9% of MVIT). Reducing the amplitude of the current from 75 to 45% of MVIT did not alter specific tension, 25 +/- 8 N/cm2, suggesting that the amplitude probably affects torque and the area of activated muscle proportionally. Shortening the pulse duration from 450 to 150 micros caused specific tension to drop from 25 +/- 6 to 20 +/- 6 N/cm2 (P < 0.05), indicating that pulse duration increased torque and the activated CSA disproportionally. Alternatively, reducing the frequency from 100 to 25 Hz decreased specific tension from 25 +/- 6 to 17 +/- 4 N/cm2 (P < 0.05), suggesting that the frequency increased torque without affecting the activated CSA. Clinicians who administer SNMES should be aware of the magnitude of adaptations to a given amplitude, pulse duration, and frequency.