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).