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Assessment of quadriceps muscle inactivation with a new electrical stimulation paradigm
Author(s) -
Wellauer Vanessa,
Morf Claudia,
Minetto Marco A.,
Place Nicolas,
Maffiuletti Nicola A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.24266
Subject(s) - stimulation , quadriceps muscle , contraction (grammar) , femoral nerve , muscle contraction , torque , physical medicine and rehabilitation , chemistry , medicine , anesthesia , physics , thermodynamics
: In this study we evaluated the validity of garment‐based quadriceps stimulation (GQS) for assessment of muscle inactivation in comparison with femoral nerve stimulation (FNS). Methods : Inactivation estimates (superimposed doublet torque), self‐reported discomfort, and twitch and doublet contractile properties were compared between GQS and FNS in 15 healthy subjects. Results : Superimposed doublet torque was significantly lower for GQS than for FNS at 20% and 40% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) ( P < 0.01), but not at 60%, 80%, and 100% MVC. Discomfort scores were systematically lower for GQS than for FNS ( P < 0.05). Resting twitch and doublet peak torque were lower for GQS, and time to peak torque was shorter for GQS than for FNS ( P < 0.01). Conclusions : GQS can be used with confidence for straightforward evaluation of quadriceps muscle inactivation, whereas its validity for assessment of contractile properties remains to be determined. Muscle Nerve 51 : 117–124, 2015