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. 2015 Sep 28;7(3):6028.
doi: 10.4081/or.2015.6028.

Are Electrically Induced Muscle Cramps Able to Increase the Cramp Threshold Frequency, When Induced Once a Week?

Michael Behringer  1 , Tobias Walter Link  1 , Johannes Caspar Konrad Montag  1 , Molly Leigh McCourt  1 , Joachim Mester  1
Affiliations

Are Electrically Induced Muscle Cramps Able to Increase the Cramp Threshold Frequency, When Induced Once a Week?

Michael Behringer et al. Orthop Rev (Pavia). .

Abstract

The cramp threshold frequency (CTF) is known to be positively correlated with the individual cramp susceptibility. Here we assessed CTF changes after two bouts of electrically induced muscle cramps (EIMCs). The EIMCs (6×5 sec) were unilaterally induced twice (separated by one week) in the gastrocnemius of an intervention group (n=8), while 5 participants served as control. The CTF increased from 25.1±4.6 Hz at baseline to 31.4±9.0 Hz and 31.7±8.5 Hz 24 h after bout 1 and 2 (P<0.05). Thereafter, the CTF declined following both bouts to reach values of 28.0±6.7 Hz and 29.1±7.7 Hz after 72 h after bout 1 and 2. Creatine kinase (CK) activity and perceived discomfort during cramps was lower after bout 2 (P<0.05). CTF, CK, and discomfort did not change in CG. That is, a single bout of EIMCs induces a 24 h CTF increment and a second bout sustains this effect, while perceived discomfort and muscle damage decreases. This short term effect may help athletes to reduce the cramp susceptibility for an important match.

Keywords: Electrically induced muscle cramps; cramp threshold frequency; muscle damage; perceived discomfort; repeated bout effect.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: the authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mean cramp threshold frequency (CTF) response to bout 1 (B1) and bout 2 (B2) in the IG (circles) and the CG (squares). Vertical bars denote 0.95 confidence intervals. Asterisks indicate significant differences at P<0.05 from pre values within the respective bout.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mean creatine kinase (CK) response to bout 1 (B1) and bout 2 (B2) in the IG (circles) and the CG (squares). Vertical bars denote 0.95 confidence intervals. Asterisks indicate significant differences at P<0.05 from pre values within the respective bout.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Mean average root mean square activity (aRMSA) of the m. gastrocnemius medialis at baseline and after the 12 Hz stimulation, the individual cramp threshold frequency (CTF), and the last frequency tested prior to the CTF (CTF-2 Hz). Vertical bars denote 0.95 confidence intervals. Asterisk indicates significant difference at P<0.001 from 12 Hz values.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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