title: Effect of gender and obesity on electrical current thresholds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we investigated the influence of gender and obesity on electrical current thresholds in an attempt to optimize the application of skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (ES) in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two obese and 35 age-matched, non-obese men and women received graded ES to the quadriceps muscle for sensory (detection) and motor (contraction) threshold assessment. Concomitant pain and tolerance to ES were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensory threshold was lower in women than in men (P < 0.001), both obese and non-obese. Sensory and motor thresholds were higher in obese than in non-obese subjects (P < 0.05), and body mass index was a strong predictor of motor excitability (r(2) = 0.56-0.61). Current tolerance to motor stimulation was reduced in obese individuals, particularly in women, whereas pain was not influenced by gender or obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that both gender and obesity factors should be carefully considered in the design of rational ES treatments.
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Schulthess Clinic, Lengghalde 2, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. nicola.maffiuletti@kws.ch
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Maffiuletti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duclay
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Billot
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jubeau
authors.forename: Fiorenza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agosti
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sartorio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*