Wide-pulse, high-frequency, low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation has potential for targeted strengthening of an intrinsic foot muscle: A feasibility study

Journal article


James, D.C., Solan, M.C., Mileva, K.N. and James, D. (2018). Wide-pulse, high-frequency, low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation has potential for targeted strengthening of an intrinsic foot muscle: A feasibility study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-018-0258-1
AuthorsJames, D.C., Solan, M.C., Mileva, K.N. and James, D.
Abstract

Background: Strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles is a poorly understood and largely overlooked area. In this study, we explore the feasibility of strengthening m. abductor hallucis (AH) with a specific paradigm of neuromuscular electrical stimulation; one which is low-intensity in nature and designed to interleave physiologically-relevant low frequency stimulation with high-frequencies to enhance effective current delivery to spinal motoneurones, and enable a proportion of force produced by the target muscle to be generated from a central origin. We use standard neurophysiological measurements to evaluate the acute (~ 30 min) peripheral and central adaptations in healthy individuals. Methods: The AH in the dominant foot of nine healthy participants was stimulated with 24 × 15 s trains of square wave (1 ms), constant current (150% of motor threshold), alternating (20 Hz-100 Hz) neuromuscular electrical stimulation interspersed with 45 s rest. Prior to the intervention, peripheral variables were evoked from the AH compound muscle action potential (Mwave) and corresponding twitch force in response to supramaximal (130%) medial plantar nerve stimulation. Central variables were evoked from the motor evoked potential (MEP) in response to suprathreshold (150%) transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex corresponding to the AH pathway. Follow-up testing occurred immediately, and 30 min after the intervention. In addition, the force-time-integrals (FTI) from the 1st and 24th WPHF trains were analysed as an index of muscle fatigue. All variables except FTI (T-test) were entered for statistical analysis using a single factor repeated measures ANOVA with alpha set at 0.05. Results: FTI was significantly lower at the end of the electrical intervention compared to that evoked by the first train (p < 0.01). Only significant peripheral nervous system adaptations were observed, consistent with the onset of low-frequency fatigue in the muscle. In most of these variables, the effects persisted for 30 min after the intervention. Conclusions: An acute session of wide-pulse, high-frequency, low-intensity electrical stimulation delivered directly to abductor hallucis in healthy feet induces muscle fatigue via adaptations at the peripheral level of the neuromuscular system. Our findings would appear to represent the first step in muscle adaptation to training; therefore, there is potential for using WPHF for intrinsic foot muscle strengthening.

KeywordsAbductor hallucis; M-wave; Motor evoked potential; Muscle fatigue; Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Stimulation frequency; Clinical Sciences; Human Movement And Sports Science; Complementary And Alternative Medicine
Year2018
JournalJournal of Foot and Ankle Research
Journal citation11
PublisherBMC
ISSN1757-1146
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-018-0258-1
Web address (URL)http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85046403258&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Funder/ClientBritish Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
Publication dates
Print03 May 2018
2018
Publication process dates
Deposited24 May 2018
Accepted19 Apr 2018
Publisher's version
License
Permalink -

https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/86qzz

Download files


Publisher's version
James et al. 2018.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0

  • 157
    total views
  • 123
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Recurrance analysis discriminates martial art performance patterns
Straiotto, B.G., Marwan, N, Seeley, P.J. and James, D.C. (2023). Recurrance analysis discriminates martial art performance patterns. The European Physical Journal Special Topics. 232 (1), pp. 151-59. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-022-00684-6
Impact of different mechanical and metabolic stimuli on the temporal dynamics of muscle strength adaptation
Lambrianides, Y., Epro, G., Smith, K., Mileva, K., James, D. and Karamanidis, K. (2022). Impact of different mechanical and metabolic stimuli on the temporal dynamics of muscle strength adaptation. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 36 (11), pp. 3246-3255. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004300
Reliability and Accuracy of a Time-Efficient Method for the Assessment of Achilles Tendon Mechanical Properties by Ultrasonography
Hunter, S., Werth, J., Werth, J., Lambrianides, Y., Smith, K., Karamanidis, K. and Epro, G. (2022). Reliability and Accuracy of a Time-Efficient Method for the Assessment of Achilles Tendon Mechanical Properties by Ultrasonography. Sensors. 22 (7), p. e2549. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22072549
A voluntary activation deficit in m. abductor hallucis exists in asymptomatic feet.
Perez Olivera, A., Solan, M.C, Karamanidis, K., Mileva, K.N. and James, D. (2021). A voluntary activation deficit in m. abductor hallucis exists in asymptomatic feet. Journal of Biomechanics. 130, p. 110863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110863
Interjoint Coordination in Kicking a Moving Target: A Comparison Between Elite and Nonelite Taekwondo Players.
Straiotto, B.G., Cook, D.P., James, D.C. and Seeley, P.J. (2021). Interjoint Coordination in Kicking a Moving Target: A Comparison Between Elite and Nonelite Taekwondo Players. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2020-0359
Leaning the Trunk Forward Decreases Patellofemoral Joint Loading During Uneven Running.
AminiAghdam, S., Epro, G., James, D. and Karamanidis, K. (2021). Leaning the Trunk Forward Decreases Patellofemoral Joint Loading During Uneven Running. Journal of strength and conditioning research. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004128
Evidence that ageing does not influence the uniformity of the muscle-tendon unit adaptation in master sprinters.
Epro, G., König, M., James, D., Lambrianides, Y, Werth, J., Hunter, S and Karamanidis, K. (2021). Evidence that ageing does not influence the uniformity of the muscle-tendon unit adaptation in master sprinters. Journal of Biomechanics. 120, p. 110364. https://doi.org/S0021-9290(21)00144-5
Identifying consistent biomechanical parameters across rising-to-walk subtasks to inform rehabilitation in practice: A systematic literature review
Jones, GD, Jones, GL, James, DC, Thacker, M and Green, DA (2021). Identifying consistent biomechanical parameters across rising-to-walk subtasks to inform rehabilitation in practice: A systematic literature review. Gait and Posture. 83, pp. 67-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.10.001
Inter-Limb Mechanical Properties of the Triceps Surae Muscle-Tendon Unit in Master Sprinters
Lambrianides, Y., Epro, G., König, M., James, D., Hunter, S. and Karamanidis, K. (2020). Inter-Limb Mechanical Properties of the Triceps Surae Muscle-Tendon Unit in Master Sprinters.
Direct muscle electrical stimulation as a method for the in vivo assessment of force production in m. abductor hallucis
Olivera, A.L.P., Alzapiedi, D.F., Solan, M.C., Karamanidis, K., Mileva, K. and James, D.C. (2020). Direct muscle electrical stimulation as a method for the in vivo assessment of force production in m. abductor hallucis. Journal of Biomechanics. 100, p. 109606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109606
Gait-initiation onset estimation during sit-towalk: Recommended methods suitable for healthy individuals and ambulatory community-dwelling stroke survivors
Jones, GD, James, D., Thacker, M., Perry, R and Green, DA (2019). Gait-initiation onset estimation during sit-towalk: Recommended methods suitable for healthy individuals and ambulatory community-dwelling stroke survivors. PLoS ONE. 14 (5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217563
Gait-Initiation Onset Estimation During Sit-to-Walk Comparing Healthy Individuals and Ambulatory Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors
Jones, GD, James, DC, Thacker, M, Perry, R and Green, DA (2019). Gait-Initiation Onset Estimation During Sit-to-Walk Comparing Healthy Individuals and Ambulatory Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors. https://doi.org/10.18744/LSBU.002933
Lower body acceleration and muscular responses to rotational and vertical whole-body vibration of different frequencies and amplitudes
Zaidell, L, Mileva, K., James, DC, Bowtell, J, Pollock, RD, Newham, DJ and Sumners, DP (2019). Lower body acceleration and muscular responses to rotational and vertical whole-body vibration of different frequencies and amplitudes. Dose-Response. 17 (1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325818819946
Parameters that remain consistent independent of pausing before gait-initiation during normal rise-to-walk behaviour delineated by sit-to-walk and sit-to-stand-and-walk.
Jones, GD, James, DC, Thacker, M and Green, DA (2018). Parameters that remain consistent independent of pausing before gait-initiation during normal rise-to-walk behaviour delineated by sit-to-walk and sit-to-stand-and-walk. PLoS ONE. 13 (10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205346
Loading rate and contraction duration effects on in vivo human Achilles tendon mechanical properties.
McCrum, C, Oberländer, KD, Epro, G, Krauss, P, James, DC, Reeves, N and Karamanidis, K (2017). Loading rate and contraction duration effects on in vivo human Achilles tendon mechanical properties. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. 38 (3), pp. 517-523. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12472
Sit-to-walk and sit-to-stand-and-walk task dynamics are maintained during rising at an elevated seat-height independent of lead-limb in healthy individuals
Jones, GD, James, DC, Thacker, M, Jones, EJ and Green, DA (2016). Sit-to-walk and sit-to-stand-and-walk task dynamics are maintained during rising at an elevated seat-height independent of lead-limb in healthy individuals. Gait and Posture. 48 (July), pp. 226 - 229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.06.005
Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% knee height: A novel approach to assess dynamic postural control independent of lead-limb
Jones, GD, James, DC, Thacker, M and Green, DA (2016). Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% knee height: A novel approach to assess dynamic postural control independent of lead-limb. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2016 (114). https://doi.org/10.3791/54323
The biomechanical characteristics of wearing FitFlop™ sandals highlight significant alterations in gait pattern: a comparative study.
James, DC, Farmer, LJ, Sayers, JB, Cook, DP and Mileva, K. (2015). The biomechanical characteristics of wearing FitFlop™ sandals highlight significant alterations in gait pattern: a comparative study. Clinical Biomechanics. 30 (4), pp. 347-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.02.016
47 An acute session of high-frequency, low-intensity, wide-pulse electrical stimulation evokes fatigue adaptations in an intrinsic foot muscle
James, DC, Mileva, K. and Solan, MC (2015). 47 An acute session of high-frequency, low-intensity, wide-pulse electrical stimulation evokes fatigue adaptations in an intrinsic foot muscle. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 49 (Suppl). https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095573.47
Low-frequency accelerations over-estimate impact-related shock during walking.
James, DC, Mileva, K. and Cook, DP (2014). Low-frequency accelerations over-estimate impact-related shock during walking. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 24 (2), pp. 264-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.12.008
Wide-pulse electrical stimulation to an intrinsic foot muscle induces acute functional changes in forefoot-rearfoot coupling behaviour during walking.
James, DC, Chesters, T, Sumners, DP, Cook, DP, Green, DA and Mileva, K. (2012). Wide-pulse electrical stimulation to an intrinsic foot muscle induces acute functional changes in forefoot-rearfoot coupling behaviour during walking. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 34 (5), pp. 438-443. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1321893
Coefficient of cross correlation analysis of kinematics during walking barefoot and in Vibram FiveFingers®
James, DC and Cook, D (2011). Coefficient of cross correlation analysis of kinematics during walking barefoot and in Vibram FiveFingers®. Footwear Science. 3 (SUP 1), pp. S79-S81. https://doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2011.575401