The following statement about NMES electrode polarity is true: the negative electrode is placed over the motor point and the positive electrode is placed at the opposite end.

The following statement about NMES electrode polarity is true: the negative electrode is placed over the motor point and the positive electrode is placed at the opposite end.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. It depends

Answer: (C)

In NMES, the site of depolarization drives the response, so electrode polarity is chosen to maximize motor activation while keeping the patient comfortable. The cathode (negative) does the depolarizing, and placing it over the motor point concentrates current where the motor neurons innervating the target muscle are most excitable. That makes it easier to recruit motor units efficiently and produce a strong, controllable contraction with less overall current. The anode (positive) is placed at the opposite end to complete the circuit and to steer the current through the muscle and surrounding tissues rather than concentrating it directly under the active site, which can help reduce skin irritation and nonspecific stimulation. So, this arrangement—negative over the motor point and positive at the opposite end—is consistent with standard NMES practice for eliciting contraction. Do note that in some contexts you might adjust polarity for comfort, healing goals, or specific training effects, but for producing a contraction this setup is typically used.

In NMES, the site of depolarization drives the response, so electrode polarity is chosen to maximize motor activation while keeping the patient comfortable. The cathode (negative) does the depolarizing, and placing it over the motor point concentrates current where the motor neurons innervating the target muscle are most excitable. That makes it easier to recruit motor units efficiently and produce a strong, controllable contraction with less overall current. The anode (positive) is placed at the opposite end to complete the circuit and to steer the current through the muscle and surrounding tissues rather than concentrating it directly under the active site, which can help reduce skin irritation and nonspecific stimulation. So, this arrangement—negative over the motor point and positive at the opposite end—is consistent with standard NMES practice for eliciting contraction. Do note that in some contexts you might adjust polarity for comfort, healing goals, or specific training effects, but for producing a contraction this setup is typically used.