Low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation elicits detectable metaboreflex-mediated sympathetic responses in humans

Low-intensity, short-duration neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) elicited greater sympathetic and pressor responses than torque-matched voluntary contraction, and these responses persisted during postexercise circulatory occlusion. These findings provide novel evidence that detectable metaboreflex-mediated responses can occur during NMES even under low-intensity, short-duration conditions, suggesting that sympathetic neural and cardiovascular responses may differ despite comparable external force production.