Peripheral Nerve Excitation and Plantar Flexion Force Elicited by Electrical Stimulation in Males and Females

Study Design Two-group (gender) posttest only using a sample of convenience. Objectives Our study examined the effect of gender on selected stimulus properties, perceived pain thresholds, and maximally tolerated level of contraction of the plantar flexor muscle group. Background There is a dearth of literature regarding gender as a factor that may influence the outcome following the application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Data from other disciplines suggest that males and females may not have similar tolerance to electrical stimulation. Methods and Measures Eleven women (mean age, 28.3 years ± 5.6 years) and 9 men (mean age, 33.2 years ± 6 years) participated in a single session of electrical stimulation. A pair of 4.5 × 4.5 cm, self-adhesive, synthetic, polymer electrodes was placed over the medial and lateral heads of the gastroc-soleus muscle group. Electrical stimulation was provided by a battery-powered pulsatile stimulator generating a symmetric biphasic waveform, 200-μsecond phase dura...