European Journal of Applied Physiology

, Volume 111, Issue 5, pp 779–787 | Cite as

Muscle oxygenation of vastus lateralis and medialis muscles during alternating and pulsed current electrical stimulation

  • Abdulaziz Aldayel
  • Makii Muthalib
  • Marc Jubeau
  • Michael McGuigan
  • Kazunori Nosaka
Original Article
First Online:
Accepted:

Abstract

This study compared between alternating and pulsed current electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) for muscle oxygenation and blood volume during isometric contractions. Nine healthy men (23–48 years) received alternating current EMS (2500 Hz) modulated at 75 Hz on the knee extensors of one leg, and pulsed current EMS (75 Hz) for the other leg separated by 2 weeks in a randomised, counter-balanced order. Pulse duration (400 μs), on–off ratio (5–15 s) and other stimulation parameters were matched between conditions and 30 isometric contractions were induced at the knee joint angle of 100° (0° full extension). Changes in tissue oxygenation index (∆TOI) and total hemoglobin volume (∆tHb) of vastus lateralis and medialis muscles over 30 contractions were assessed by a near-infrared spectroscopy, and were compared between conditions by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Peak torque produced during EMS increased over 30 contractions in response to the increase in the stimulation intensity for pulsed current, but not for the alternating current EMS. The torque during each isometric contraction was less stable in alternating than pulsed current EMS. The changes in ∆TOI amplitude during relaxation phases and ∆tHb amplitude were not significantly different between conditions. However, the decreases in ∆TOI amplitude during contraction phases from baseline were significantly (P < 0.05) greater for the pulsed current than alternating current from the 18th contraction (−15.6 ± 2.3 vs. −8.9 ± 1.8%) to 30th contraction (−10.7 ± 1.8 vs. −4.8 ± 1.5%). These results suggest that the muscles were less activated in the alternating current EMS when compared with the pulsed current EMS.

Keywords

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation Near-infrared spectroscopy Blood flow Fatigue Motor unit recruitment Isometric contractions 

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Abdulaziz Aldayel
    • 1
    • 2
  • Makii Muthalib
    • 1
    • 6
  • Marc Jubeau
    • 3
  • Michael McGuigan
    • 1
    • 4
    • 5
  • Kazunori Nosaka
    • 1
  1. 1.Edith Cowan UniversityJoondalupAustralia
  2. 2.Department of Physical Education and Movement Sciences, College of EducationKing Saud UniversityRiyadhSaudi Arabia
  3. 3.Jean Monnet UniversitySaint-EtienneFrance
  4. 4.New Zealand Academy of Sport North IslandAucklandNew Zealand
  5. 5.Auckland University of TechnologyAucklandNew Zealand
  6. 6.Queensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneAustralia

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