The effective electrical activation of skeletal muscle

Abstract

A new method of using distributed stimulation with optimised unequal interpulse intervals to stimulate skeletal muscle is described. Experiments carried out on cat skeletal muscles demonstrate that this method can be used to produce smooth contraction in fast muscle under conditions that more closely approximate physiological activation. This is important in studying human biomechanics as well as in fundamental muscle research. This research also demonstrates the possibility of using distributed stimulation for more effective activation and control in functional electrical stimulation (FES) of paralysed limbs.