A Promising Approach to Effectively Reduce Cramp Susceptibility in Human Muscles: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

BackgroundTo investigate if the cramp threshold frequency (CTF) can be altered by electrical muscle stimulation in a shortened position.MethodsA total of 15 healthy male sport students were randomly allocated to an intervention (IG, n = 10) and a non-treatment control group (CG, n = 5). Calf muscles of both legs in the IG were stimulated equally twice a week over 6 weeks. The protocol was 3×5 s on, 10 s off, 150 µs impulse width, 30 Hz above the individual CTF, and was at 85% of the maximal tolerated stimulation energy. One leg was stimulated in a shortened position, inducing muscle cramps (CT), while the opposite leg was fixated in a neutral position at the ankle, hindering muscle cramps (nCT). CTF tests were performed prior to the first and 96 h after the 6th (3 w) and 12th (6 w) training session.ResultsAfter 3 w, the CTF had significantly (p2 • µs) positively correlated with the effect on the CTF (r = 0.92; pConclusionsThe present study may be useful for developing new non-pharmacological strategies to reduce cramp susceptibility.Trial RegistryGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00005312