Nanoelectropulse-based electrostimulation to enhance muscle strength and mitigate musculoskeletal disorders in military pilots.
Abstract
This project addresses a stated interest of the U.S. Air Force, improving human capabilities by establishing methods to augment human performance. Our goal is to work toward mitigating flight-induced musculoskeletal disorders, a significant problem affecting pilot performance, by enhancing skeletal muscle force through the use of a new type of electrical stimulation modality, nanosecond duration electric pulses (NEP). We envision the development of a portable device that can be placed on the skin to stimulate muscle and hence augment muscle strength. In preliminary experiments using a well-established murine ex vivo neuromuscular preparation, phrenic nerve and attached diaphragm muscle, we found that high frequency trains of NEP are as effective as trains of conventional (millisecond)-duration electric pulses (CEP) in stimulating muscle contraction. Importantly, CEP but not NEP caused muscle fatigue (i.e., a reduction in force generation capability of muscle). To build on these findings we will establish the range of NEP parameters (amplitude, duration, frequency) that generate optimal stimulation of diaphragm muscle (i.e., best combination of force and fatigue) via the phrenic nerve (i.e., indirect muscle stimulation). We will next carry out similar experiments in which the diaphragm is stimulated directly by transmural electrodes placed on the muscle. Our approach will employ wild-type and transgenic mice expressing a genetically-encoded calcium indicator in diaphragm muscle to measure muscle force and fatigue, and muscle calcium transients. We will also elucidate the mechanisms underlying fatigue, as well as highlight differences between NEP and CEP stimulation. The proposed research will provide fundamental information about the use of NEP in an intact ex vivo system, an essential step aimed at developing practical applications of NEP for enhancing skeletal muscle force in military pilots that can be used in conjunction with physical training programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310724
Entities
People
- Josette El Zaklit
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Nevada System of Higher Education
- United States Air Force