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Abstract #1636

Differential Diffusion Behaviour in Human Calf Muscles Following Voluntary Vs Electrically-Stimulated Contractions

Conrad P. Rockel1, Alireza Akbari1, Dinesh A. Kumbhare2, 3, Michael D. Noseworthy, 14

1School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 2Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 3Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 4Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada


Short-term post-contraction muscle changes were investigated in the human calf following electrical nerve stimulation versus voluntary movement. Post-contraction behaviour was assessed using mean diffusivity (MD) as calculated using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Voluntary movement elicited larger and more varied diffusion changes than electrical stimulation. However, electrical stimulation did show subtle increased diffusion in the targeted muscle (Peroneus Longus).