Which pulse width would stimulate a larger population of motor fibers compared to sensory fibers?

The concept of pulse width in electrical stimulation is crucial in differentiating the type of nerve fibers that are activated. A shorter pulse width, such as 0.05 ms, tends to preferentially stimulate sensory fibers due to their higher activation threshold and more superficial positioning. However, as the pulse width increases, the stimulation can penetrate deeper into the nerve population, allowing the electrical current to reach larger, more robust motor fibers that are located further from the site of stimulation.

In this context, a pulse width of 1 ms would generally be more effective for stimulating motor fibers, as it provides a longer duration of current that can facilitate the activation of deeper populations of fibers, including those associated with motor function. Therefore, while the identified answer suggests that a 0.05 ms pulse width would primarily target a smaller and more superficial group of nerve fibers, it would not be the optimal choice for engaging a broader range of motor fibers.

In conclusion, the choice of pulse width in stimulation techniques directly influences which nerve fibers are engaged, with longer pulse widths being more effective at reaching and stimulating motor fibers more robustly than shorter widths.