Synchronous Stimulation

Usually laboratory stimulation only has a single input to the muscle.
Single stimulus input means that all fibres are activated synchronously.
- We may not stimulate all the fibres in the muscle, but all those that are stimulated are stimulated at the same time.
High stimulation rates are required to produce a smooth tension.
- The mechanical properties seen are different from those in the intact animal.
- Fatigue is rapid. With intermittent stimulation, tension falls rapidly during a tetanus, recovers during rest, then falls again.
Low stimulation rates produce ripple on the tension at the stimulation frequency.
- Also internal movement which affects crossbridge attachment.
- Poor control of tension in situations of muscle control.
Unsuitable for investigation of muscle properties except for unphysiologically high rates.
Unsuitable for Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation.
- Changing muscle characteristics during a short tetanus make control very difficult.