The Effect of Rest Intervals on Knee-Extension Torque Production With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Context: Previous studies using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) have suggested that 30-second rest intervals are too short for sufficient recovery. Objective: To compare the effect of rest interval on knee-extension torque production. Design: Counterbalanced mixed design to test independent variable, rest interval; ANOVA to analyze dependent variable, percentage decline. Setting: Athletic training research laboratory. Participants: 24 healthy men and women. Intervention: Participants performed knee extension under 2 contraction conditions, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and NMES with either 30- or 120-second rest between repetitions. Main Outcome Measure: Peak torque produced during each repetition of a 5-repetition set. Results: The main effect for rest interval was significant (F1,23 = 30.30, P = .001), as was the main effect for condition (F1,23 = 11.18, P = .003). Conclusions: A 120-second rest between repetitions is recommended when using NMES in early rehabilitation becau...