Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Published on: September 13, 2015
Neuromuscular fatigue after low- and medium-frequency electrical stimulation in healthy adults
Pedro Ferreira Alves De Oliveira1,2, João Luiz Quagliotti Durigan3,2, Karenina Arrais Guida Modesto3
1Federal Institute of Brasília, Brasília, Federal District, 72015-606, Brazil.
Introduction:
In this study we investigated fatigue origins induced by low-frequency pulsed current (PC) and medium-frequency current (MF) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) after a clinical-like session.
Methods:
Eleven healthy men randomly underwent 2 NMES sessions, PC and MF, on quadriceps muscle (15-minute duration, 6 seconds on and 18 seconds off). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), central activation ratio (CAR), vastus lateralis electromyographic activity (EMG), and evoked contractile properties were determined before and after the sessions. Evoked torque and discomfort during the sessions were also measured.
Results:
Both currents produced decreases in MVC, EMG, and evoked contractile properties after the sessions. No difference was found between currents for all variables (P > 0.05). Evoked torque during sessions decreased (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in mean evoked torque and discomfort (P > 0.05).
Discussion:
Both currents induced similar neuromuscular fatigue. Clinicians can choose either PC or MF and expect similar treatment effects when the goal is to generate gains in muscle strength. Muscle Nerve 58: 293-299, 2018.
Related Concept Videos
Muscle Stimulation Frequency
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
Fatigue
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Fatigue Strength of Concrete
Frequency-dependent Selection
The Neuromuscular Junction

