Short vs. long pulses for testing knee extensor neuromuscular properties: does it matter?

Eur J Appl Physiol

Institut des Sciences du Sport de l'Université de Lausanne, Quartier UNIL-Centre, Bâtiment Synathlon, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Published: February 2018

Purpose: The present study aimed at comparing knee extensor neuromuscular properties determined with transcutaneous electrical stimulation using two pulse durations before and after a standardized fatigue protocol.

Methods: In the first sub-study, 19 healthy participants (ten women and nine men; 28 ± 5 years) took part to two separate testing sessions involving the characterization of voluntary activation (twitch interpolation technique), muscle contractility (evoked forces by single and paired stimuli), and neuromuscular propagation (M-wave amplitude from vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles) obtained at supramaximal intensity with a pulse duration of either 0.2 or 1 ms. The procedures were identical in the second sub-study (N = 11), except that neuromuscular properties were also evaluated after a standardized fatiguing exercise. Electrical stimulation was delivered through large surface electrodes positioned over the quadriceps muscle and a visual analog scale was used to evaluate the discomfort to paired stimuli evoked at rest.

Results: There was no difference between pulse durations in the estimates of voluntary activation, neuromuscular propagation, and muscle contractility both in the non-fatigued and fatigued states. The discomfort associated with supramaximal paired electrical stimuli was also comparable between the two pulse durations.

Conclusions: It appears that 0.2- and 1-ms-long pulses provide a comparable evaluation of knee extensor neuromuscular properties.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3778-7DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

neuromuscular properties
16
knee extensor
12
extensor neuromuscular
12
electrical stimulation
8
pulse durations
8
voluntary activation
8
muscle contractility
8
paired stimuli
8
neuromuscular propagation
8
neuromuscular
6

Similar Publications

Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) is the gold standard for managing central airway obstruction (CAO), a life-threatening condition caused by both malignant and benign etiologies. Anesthetic management is challenging as it requires balancing deep sedation with maintaining spontaneous breathing to avoid airway collapse. There is no consensus on the optimal anesthetic approach, with options including general anesthesia with neuromuscular blockers or spontaneous assisted ventilation (SAV).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of adding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and neuromuscular electrical nerve stimulation (NMES) to conventional physical therapy exercises, for stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP). Seventy-five stroke patients with shoulder pain were included in this prospective randomized controlled study. Participants were divided into three groups.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Probing the properties of PTEN specific botulinum toxin type E mutants.

J Neural Transm (Vienna)

January 2025

Institut für Zellbiochemie, OE 4310, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30623, Hannover, Germany.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are established biopharmaceuticals for neuromuscular and secretory conditions based on their ability to block neurotransmitter release from neurons by proteolyzing specific soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins. Recently, a mutant catalytic domain of serotype E (LC/E) exhibiting 16 mutations was reported to cleave the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). This molecule represents an attractive new target in neurons as several reports support PTEN knockdown as a strategy to stimulate axonal regeneration after injury.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Shatavari is a herbal dietary supplement that may increase skeletal muscle strength in younger and older adults. Shatavari contains compounds with both estradiol-like and antioxidant properties, which could enhance muscle function. Postmenopausal women may derive the greatest benefit, as estrogen deficiency adversely impacts skeletal muscle function.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Multidimensional free shape-morphing flexible neuromorphic devices with regulation at arbitrary points.

Nat Commun

January 2025

Institute of Optoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, National Institute for Advanced Materials, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.

Biological neural systems seamlessly integrate perception and action, a feat not efficiently replicated in current physically separated designs of neural-imitating electronics. This segregation hinders coordination and functionality within the neuromorphic system. Here, we present a flexible device tailored for neuromorphic computation and muscle actuation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!