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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles
Published on: November 1, 2012
Effects of pulse duration on muscle fatigue during electrical stimulation inducing moderate-level contraction
Woohyoung Jeon1, Lisa Griffin1
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto Boulevard, D3700 Austin, Texas, 78712, USA.
Introduction:
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used to prevent muscle atrophy. However, the effect of pulse duration modulation for reducing muscle fatigue and pain is unknown.
Methods:
Two 2-minute stimulation protocols were applied to the knee extensors of 10 healthy individuals. In 1 session, a long pulse duration (1,000 μs) and a low current amplitude (LL), set to evoke 25% maximal voluntary contraction at 30 Hz, were applied. The other session was identical except that a short pulse duration (200 μs) and a high current amplitude (SH) were used.
Results:
Muscle fatigue was lower for LL than for SH (P < 0.01). Force recovery rate was higher for LL than for SH (P < 0.05). Pain scores were also lower for LL than for SH (P < 0.05).
Discussion:
The use of 1-ms pulse durations reduces fatigue and pain during NMES for moderate-level contractions compared with 200-μs durations. Muscle Nerve 57: 642-649, 2018.
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