Interferential and burst-modulated biphasic pulsed currents yield greater muscular force than Russian current.

Objective: Previous data regarding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) have suggested that muscle torque production with interferential current (IFC) is inferior to Russian current; however, waveform parameters specific and critical to NMES were inconsistent, making interpretation of previous findings precarious. The purpose of this investigation was to compare muscle force production of three electrical stimulating waveforms when using equivalent stimulus parameters.

Design: The percent of maximal voluntary isometric knee extensor force (%MVIF) elicited using interferential, Russian, and burst-modulated biphasic pulsed currents were compared in 23 healthy college-aged subjects.