How does increasing the phase duration affect muscle contractions during electrical stimulation therapy?

Increasing the phase duration in electrical stimulation therapy directly affects the strength of muscle contractions by allowing for greater recruitment of motor units. When the phase duration is increased, the electrical impulse can stimulate the underlying muscle fibers more effectively. This is particularly important for promoting the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are critical for generating stronger contractions.

Specifically, a longer phase duration provides a longer time for the electrical stimulus to depolarize the muscle fibers, which means that more fibers can be activated simultaneously. This enhanced activation leads to stronger muscle contractions. The relationship between phase duration and contraction strength is well-established in the field of electrical stimulation, where the goal often includes maximizing the strength of contractions for therapeutic purposes.

Other options present concepts that may misinterpret the effects of phase duration. While increased phase duration could lead to muscle fatigue over an extended period if the stimulation continues for too long, the immediate effect is an increase in muscle contraction strength. Noting that phase duration is absolutely relevant to the setting and effectiveness of electrical stimulation therapy underscores its importance in therapeutic applications.