216 PHYSIOLOGY 



In using either of these modes of stimulation we find that there 

 is a certain intensity which the stimulating current must possess in 

 order that any effect shall be produced. Any strength of stimulus 

 below this is known as a subminimal stimulus. A minimal stimulus 

 (sometimes known as liminal or threshold stimulus) is the weakest 

 stimulus that will produce any result, i.e. in muscle, a contraction. 



A maximal stimulus is one that produces the strongest contraction a muscle 

 is capable of under the effects of a single stimulus. A submaximal stimulus is 

 any strength of stimulus between these two extremes. 



