EMG, muscle fibre and force production characteristics during a 1 year training period in elite weight-lifters.

The effects of a 1 year training period on 13 elite weight-lifters were investigated by periodical tests of electromyographic, muscle fibre and force production characteristics. A statistically non-significant increase of 3.5% in maximal isometric strength of the leg extensors, from 4841 +/- 1104 to 5010 +/- 1012 N, occurred over the year. Individual changes in the high force portions of the force-velocity curve correlated (p less than 0.05-0.01) with changes in weight-lifting performance. Training months 5-8 were characterized by the lowest average training intensity (77.1 +/- 2.0%), and this resulted in a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in maximal neural activation (IEMG) of the m…

Force-, EMG-, and elasticity-velocity relationships at submaximal, maximal and supramaximal running speeds in sprinters.

The relationships between ground reaction forces, electromyographic activity (EMG), elasticity and running velocity were investigated at five speeds from submaximal to supramaximal levels in 11 male and 8 female sprinters. Supramaximal running was performed by a towing system. Reaction forces were measured on a force platform. EMGs were recorded telemetrically with surface electrodes from the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles, and elasticity of the contact leg was evaluated with spring constant values measured by film analysis. Data showed increases in most of the parameters studied with increasing running speed. At supramaximal velocity (10.36 +/- 0.31 m X s-1; 108.4 +/- 3.8%) the…

Segmental contribution to forces in vertical jump.

Performance of a vertical jump was analyzed with respect to the contribution of the different body segments to the forces acting on the whole body center of gravity. Both cinematograph and force-platform techniques were employed. The data disclosed that the take-off velocity in vertical jumps was caused by the different components as follows: knee extension 56%, plantar flexion 22%, trunk extension 10%, arm swing 10%, and head swing 2%. However, the average take-off velocity of the total performance (3.03 m/s) was only 76% from the theoretical maximum calculated from the segmental analyses. Optimal timing of the segmental performances was calculated to increase this “efficiency” to 84%. Gre…

Seasonal and annual changes in physical performance capacity of elite athletes

Seasonal and annual changes in physical performance characteristics of 10 female and 28 male cross-country skiers, 5 male nordic combination skiers and 7 male skijumpers were studied. Following parameters were investigated on most of the athletes: maximal oxygen uptake (maxVo₂) in leg and arm work, vertical running velocity (Vv), total isometric leg force (TLF), percentage of slow twitch muscle fibers (%ST fibers) and succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH) in m. vastus lateralis. The measurements were made between the spring of 1973 and winter of 1976. The yearly measurement times were spring (the beginning of the basic training period), autumn (a change from the basic training period to sp…

Muscle-tendon interaction and elastic energy usage in human walking

The present study was designed to explore how the interaction between the fascicles and tendinous tissues is involved in storage and utilization of elastic energy during human walking. Eight male subjects walked with a natural cadence (1.4 ± 0.1 m/s) on a 10-m-long force plate system. In vivo techniques were employed to record the Achilles tendon force and to scan real-time fascicle lengths for two muscles (medial gastrocnemius and soleus). The results showed that tendinous tissues of both medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles lengthened slowly throughout the single-stance phase and then recoiled rapidly close to the end of the ground contact. However, the fascicle length changes demonstr…

A systems model of training responses and its relationship to hormonal responses in elite weight-lifters

A systems model, providing an estimation of fatigue and fitness levels was applied to a 1-year training period of six elite weight-lifters. The model parameters were individually determined by fitting the predicted performance (calculated as the difference between fitness and fatigue) to the actual one. The purpose of this study was to validate the systems model by comparing the estimated levels of fatigue and fitness with biological parameters external to the model calculation. The predicted and the actual performances were significantly correlated in each subject. The calculated fitness and fatigue levels were related to serum testosterone concentration, testosterone: cortisol and testost…

Contribution of In‐Vivo Human Tendon Force Measurements for Understanding Tendomuscular Loading during SSC

Kinetics and Muscular Function in Ski Jumping

Changes in muscle activity with increasing running speed.

Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the leg muscles and the ground reaction forces were recorded in 17 elite male middle-distance runners, who performed isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) as well as running at different speeds. Electromyograms were recorded from the gluteus maximus, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior. The results indicated that the averaged EMG (aEMG) activities of all the muscles studied increased (P < 0.05) with increasing running speed, especially in the pre-contact and braking phases. At higher speeds, the aEMG activities of the gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus exceeded 100% MVC in these s…

Stretch-shortening cycle: a powerful model to study normal and fatigued muscle.

Stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) in human skeletal muscle gives unique possibilities to study normal and fatigued muscle function. The in vivo force measurement systems, buckle transducer technique and optic fiber technique, have revealed that, as compared to a pure concentric action, a non-fatiguing SSC exercise demonstrates considerable performance enhancement with increased force at a given shortening velocity. Characteristic to this phenomenon is very low EMG-activity in the concentric phase of the cycle, but a very pronounced contribution of the short-latency stretch-reflex component. This reflex contributes significantly to force generation during the transition (stretch-shortening) pha…

Daily hormonal and neuromuscular responses to intensive strength training in 1 week.

Daily adaptive responses in the neuromuscular and endocrine systems to a 1-week very intensive strength training period with two training sessions per day were investigated in eight elite weight lifters. The morning and the afternoon sessions resulted in acute decreases (P less than 0.05-0.01) in maximal isometric strength and in the maximal neural activation (iEMG) of the leg extensor muscles, but the basic levels remained unaltered during the entire training period. Significant (P less than 0.05-0.01) acute increases in serum total and free testosterone levels were found during the afternoon sessions. During the 1-week training period, serum total and free testosterone concentrations decr…

Potentiation of the mechanical behavior of the human skeletal muscle through prestretching

Force-velocity and power-velocity curves in a vertical jump involving movements around several joints were derived from vertical ground reaction forces and knee angular velocities. The jumps were performed with weights from 10 to 160 kg added on the shoulders. The obtained curves from a semi-squatting static starting position resembled those reported for isolated muscles or single muscle groups. Vertical jumps were also performed in the conditions where the shortening of the leg extensors was preceded by prestretching of the active muscles either through a preparatory counter-movement or dropping down on the force-platform from the various heights ranging from 20 to 100 cm. Prestretching mo…

Influence of aging on the mechanical behavior of leg extensor muscles.

Age dependence of the mechanical behavior of leg extensor muscle was investigated using vertical jumps with and without a stretch-shortening cycle on the force-platform. A total 226 subjects (113 females and 113 males) ranging in age from 4--73 years were examined. The results indicated in general that performance in males was better than that in females. This difference was reduced when body weight was taken into consideration. The peak performance of the various parameters, such as average force, height of rise of center of gravity, net impulse, and also the average power output, was reached in both sexes between the ages of 20 and 30 years. For example, the average vertical force in squa…

Innervation zone shift at different levels of isometric contraction in the biceps brachii muscle

Experiments were carried out to examine whether innervation zone (IZ) location remains stable at different levels of isometric contraction in the biceps brachii muscle (BB), and to determine how the proximity of the IZ affects common surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters. Twelve subjects performed maximal (MVC) and submaximal voluntary isometric contractions at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 75% of MVC. sEMG signals were recorded with a 13 rows x 5 columns grid of electrodes from the short head of BB. The IZ shifted in the proximal direction by up to 2.4 cm, depending upon the subject and electrode column. The mean shift of all the columns was 0.6+/-0.4 cm (10% vs. 100% MVC, P0.001). This…

Reduced stretch reflex sensitivity and muscle stiffness after long-lasting stretch-shortening cycle exercise in humans

It has been suggested that during repeated long-term stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise the decreased neuromuscular function may result partly from alterations in stiffness regulation. Therefore, interaction between the short latency stretch-reflex component (M1) and muscle stiffness and their influences on muscle performance were investigated before and after long lasting SSC exercise. The test protocol included various jumps on a sledge ergometer. The interpretation of the sensitivity of the reflex was based on the measurements of the patellar reflexes and the M1 reflex components. The peak muscle stiffness was measured indirectly and calculated as a coefficient of the changes in the…

Biomechanical factors affecting running economy.

KYROLAINEN, H., A. BELLI, and P. V. KOMI. Biomechanical factors affecting running economy. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 8, 2001, pp. 1330 -1337. Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity for explaining running economy at different running speeds. Methods: A total of 17 young endurance runners ran at 12-13 different running speeds. Respiratory gases were collected. Kinematic records were obtained by a high-speed video camera, and 3-D ground reaction forces (GRF) were measured simultaneously with telemetric EMG recordings of the selected leg muscles. In the analysis, joint moments and power were calculated by inverse dynamic meth…

Serum hormones during prolonged training of neuromuscular performance.

The effects of a 24-weeks' progressive training of neuromuscular performance capacity on maximal strength and on hormone balance were investigated periodically in 21 male subjects during the course of the training and during a subsequent detraining period of 12 weeks. Great increases in maximal strength were noted during the first 20 weeks, followed by a plateau phase during the last 4 weeks of training. Testosterone/cortisol ratio increased during training. During the last 4 weeks of training changes in maximal strength correlated with the changes in testosterone/cortisol (P less than 0.01) and testosterone/SHBG (P less than 0.05) ratios. During detraining, correlative decreases were found…

EMG activities and plantar pressures during ski jumping take-off on three different sized hills

Different profiles of ski jumping hills have been assumed to make the initiation of take-off difficult especially when moving from one hill to another. Neuromuscular adaptation of ski jumpers to the different jumping hills was examined by measuring muscle activation and plantar pressure of the primary take-off muscles on three different sized hills. Two young ski jumpers volunteered as subjects and they performed several trials from each hill (K-35 m, K-65 m and K-90 m) with the same electromyographic (EMG) electrode and insole pressure transducer set-up. The results showed that the differences in plantar pressure and EMGs between the jumping hills were smaller than expected for both jumper…

Training-induced changes in neuromuscular performance under voluntary and reflex conditions.

To investigate training-induced changes in neuromuscular performance under voluntary and reflex contractions, 11 male subjects went through heavy resistance (high loads of 70-120% of one maximum repetition) and 10 male subjects through explosive type (low loads with high contraction velocities) strength training three times a week for 24 weeks. A large increase (13.9%, p less than 0.01) in voluntary unilateral maximal knee extension strength with only slight and insignificant changes in time of isometric force production were observed during heavy resistance strength training. Explosive type strength training resulted in a small insignificant increase in maximal strength but in considerable…

Effects of different dropping intensities on fascicle and tendinous tissue behavior during stretch-shortening cycle exercise.

This study examined whether the elasticity of the tendinous tissues plays an important role in human locomotion by improving the power output and efficiency of skeletal muscle. Ten subjects performed one-leg drop jumps (DJ) from different dropping heights with a constant rebound height. The fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscle was measured by using real-time ultrasonography during DJ. In the braking phase of the DJ, fascicle lengthening decreased and the tendinous tissue lengthening increased with increased dropping intensity. In the subsequent push-off phase, the shortening of tendinous tissues increased with higher dropping intensity. The averaged electromyographic activities of…

Neuromuscular performance and body mass as indices of bone loading in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

The strong association between body mass and skeletal robusticity has been attributed to increasing skeletal loading with increasing mass. However, it is unclear whether body mass is merely a coarse substitute for bone loading rather than a true independent predictor of bone strength. As indices of neuromuscular performance, impulse and peak power were determined from vertical ground reaction force during a maximal counter movement jump test in 221 premenopausal and 82 postmenopausal women. Bone compressive (BSI(d) g(2)/cm(4)) and bending (SSImax(mid) mm(3)) strength indices were measured with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal ((d)) and midshaft ((mid)) sites …

Mechanical power and segmental contribution to force impulses in long jump take-off

Changes in total mechanical work, its partitioning into different energy states, mechanical power, force-time characteristics, force impulses of body segments and mass center's pathway characteristics during long jump take-off were investigated on four national and six ordinary level athletes. Both cinematographic and force-platform techniques were used. The data showed that the national level jumpers had higher run-up and higher take-off (release) velocities in horizontal and vertical directions. In addition, they were able to utilize efficiently the elastic energy stored in the leg extensor muscles at take-off impact. This was seen in high support leg eccentric and concentric forces, whic…

Muscle: Producing Force and Movement

Utilization of Stretch‐Shortening Cycles in Cross‐Country Skiing

Decreased motor unit firing rate and force control in older men

Introduction Ageing is related to muscle atrophy that leads to decreases in muscle force. The largest changes are found in fast muscle fibres and fast force production, reducing the capability to recover from sudden balance disturbances. Also ageing-related decrease in force control has been found, as indicated by an increase in force fluctuations and motor unit (MU) firing variability (Galganski et al. 1993). Possibly due to differences in measurement protocols and muscles, the results concerning the effects of ageing on motor unit firing rate are, however, somewhat contradictory (for review, see Roos et al. 1997). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the age-related changes…

Fatigue effects of marathon running on neuromuscular performance

Nine experienced endurance runners performed individual marathon runs that involved several tests of neuromuscular performance before, during and after the marathon. The tests were performed with special force platform and dynamometer techniques. The results showed an overall decrease in performance from the marathon. The maximal sprint velocity decreased parabolically during the marathon, reaching the final value of 84% of the pre-marathon one. Similarly, the other test results after marathon indicated that maximal isometric knee extension torque was 78%, the performance in a special rebound test (drop jump) 84% and the 5-jump performance 92% of the pre-marathon values. These reductions we…

Mechanical characteristics and fiber composition of human leg extensor muscles.

To investigate the influence of skeletal muscle fiber composition on the mechanical performance of human skeletal muscle under dynamic conditions, 34 physical education students with differing muscle fiber composition (M. vastus lateralis) were used as subjects to perform maximal vertical jumps on the force-platform. Two kinds of jumps were performed: one from a static starting position (SJ), the other with a preliminary counter-movement (CMJ). The calculated mechanical parameters included height of rise of center of gravity (h), average force (F), net impulse (NI) and average mechanical power (W). It was observed that the percentage of fast twitch fibers was significantly related (p less t…

Skeletal muscle fibre types, enzyme activities and physical performance in young males and females

Differences in skeletal muscle characteristics, metabolic profiles and functional performance between males and females were investigated using young (15--24 yrs) male and female twins as subjects. The comparison included such variables as anthropometry, muscle strength, mechanical power, maximum oxygen uptake, electrical activation of muscle, muscle fibre composition (m. vastus lateralis), and activities of several skeletal muscle enzymes. The results disclosed the following primary differences between males and females: In the various functional tests the performance of females was from 61.1 to 84.6% of that in males; distribution of slow twitch fibres in m. vastus lateralis of the female…

Muscle-Tendon Interaction During Human Dolphin-Kick Swimming

Without high impact forces, it is not clear how humans can utilize tendon elasticity during low-impact activities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the muscle-tendon behavior together with the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during the human dolphin-kicking. In a swimming pool, each subject (n = 11) swam the 25 m dolphin-kicking at two different speeds (NORMAL and FAST). Surface EMGs were recorded from the VL and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Simultaneous recordings of the knee joint angle by electro-goniometer and of the VL fascicle length by ultrasonography were used to calculate the muscle-tendon unit and tendinous length of VL(L-MTU a…

Acute (0-2h) and delayed (2-8D) effects of exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness on elbow target movements.

The aim was to examine the acute and delayed effects of exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness on elbow target movements (TM) performance and control. Ten males performed an exercise of 50 maximal eccentric elbow actions. TMs were performed at three movement ranges. Maximal forces, active stretch reflex and TM were tested, and muscle soreness, creatine kinase and elbow joint stiffness were determined acute (after and 2 h) and delayed (2, 4, 6, 8d) postexercise. Both the long lasting muscle soreness and force drop were observed after the exercise. Joint stiffness was increased at 2 h postexercise. The highest deterioration in flexion-TM performance was found at the time (2 h) and at the…

Neuromuscular and hormonal adaptations in athletes to strength training in two years.

Neuromuscular and hormonal adaptations to prolonged strength training were investigated in nine elite weight lifters. The average increases occurred over the 2-yr follow-up period in the maximal neural activation (integrated electromyogram, IEMG; 4.2%, P = NS), maximal isometric leg-extension force (4.9%, P = NS), averaged concentric power index (4.1%, P = NS), total weight-lifting result (2.8%, P less than 0.05), and total mean fiber area (5.9%, P = NS) of the vastus lateralis muscle, respectively. The training period resulted in increases in the concentrations of serum testosterone from 19.8 +/- 5.3 to 25.1 +/- 5.2 nmol/l (P less than 0.05), luteinizing hormone (LH) from 8.6 +/- 0.8 to 9…

Effects of power training on muscle structure and neuromuscular performance

The present study examines changes in muscle structure and neuromuscular performance induced by 15 weeks of power training with explosive muscle actions. Twenty-three subjects, including 10 controls, volunteered for the study. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the gastrocnemius muscle before and after the training period, while maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC) and drop jump tests were performed once every fifth week. No statistically significant improvements in MVC of the knee extensor (KE) and plantarflexor muscles were observed during the training period. However, the maximal rate of force development (RFD) of KE increased from 18,836+/-4282 to 25,443+/-8897 N (P0.05) durin…

Effects of exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle exercise on muscle blood flow during exercise

Aim:  The influence of exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle exercise (SSC) on skeletal muscle blood flow (BF) during exercise is currently unknown. Methods:  Quadriceps femoris (QF) BF was measured in eight healthy men using positron emission tomography before and 3 days after exhaustive SSC exercise. The SSC protocol consisted of maximal and submaximal drop jumps with one leg. Needle biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscles were taken immediately and 2 days after SSC for muscle endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) mRNA level determinations. Results:  All subjects reported subjective muscle soreness after SSC (P < 0.001), which was well in line with a decre…

Concentric force enhancement during human movement

In order to understand the possible mechanisms contributing to enhanced concentric performance in stretch-shortening cycle exercises in vivo the present study examined knee extension torque, electromyogram (EMG) activity and fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscle in maximal and submaximal human movements. Maximal concentric knee extensions (120 degrees s(-1)) were done after pre-stretch and pre-isometric conditions by nine volunteers. During shortening at the knee angle of 115 degrees (180 degrees = extended) the knee extension torque was found to be greater in pre-stretch condition (272 vs. 248 N m, P < 0.05) although the torque level prior to shortening was smaller than in pre-iso…

Mechanical and neural stretch responses of the human soleus muscle at different walking speeds

During human walking, a sudden trip may elicit a Ia afferent fibre mediated short latency stretch reflex. The aim of this study was to investigate soleus (SOL) muscle mechanical behaviour in response to dorsiflexion perturbations, and to relate this behaviour to short latency stretch reflex responses. Twelve healthy subjects walked on a treadmill with the left leg attached to an actuator capable of rapidly dorsiflexing the ankle joint. Ultrasound was used to measure fascicle lengths in SOL during walking, and surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record muscle activation. Dorsiflexion perturbations of 6 deg were applied during mid-stance at walking speeds of 3, 4 and 5 km h(-1). At eac…

Stretch‐Shortening Cycle of Muscle Function

Behaviour of vastus lateralis muscle-tendon during high intensity SSC exercises in vivo

Aims:  The interaction between fascicle and tendinous tissue of human vastus lateralis muscle was investigated during varying intensity stretch–shortening cycle (SSC) jumps performed on a sledge apparatus. Methods:  Eight subjects performed single leg squat (SJ) and drop jumps (DJ) from a constant dropping height but to different rebound heights. The fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) was determined from real-time ultrasonography during the movement. Tendon length changes were calculated by subtracting the horizontal part of the fascicle length from the muscle–tendon unit (MTU) length. Simultaneously, kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic data were recorded from leg musc…

Effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride on physical and mental performance

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH) on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximal anaerobic running time, and mental performance. Eight men were exposed to a supplement treatment (30 mg NADH as ENACHI tablets per day) and to a placebo treatment, each of 4 weeks' duration, in a balanced, double-blind, and cross-over design. The two treatments were separated by a 14-week wash-out period. The results indicated that VO2max, maximal anaerobic running time, and the ability to concentrate were similar in the NADH and placebo conditions. There were also no differences in blood lactate, creatine kinase, reaction time or feelings of fatigue…

Relationships between muscle fibre characteristics and physical performance capacity in trained athletic boys

The relationships between muscle fibre characteristics and the physical performance capacity of trained athletic boys (aged 11-13 years) were studied over 2 days. The subjects were divided into two groups according to muscle fibre distribution. The 'fast' group (FG) comprised 10 subjects (sprinters, weightlifters, tennis players) with more than 50% fast-twitch fibres (type II), and the 'slow' group (SG) comprised 8 subjects (endurance runners, tennis players, one weightlifter) with more than 50% slow-twitch fibres (type I) in their vastus lateralis muscle. The 'fast' group had 59.2 +/- 6.3% and the 'slow' group had 39.4 +/- 9.8% type II fibres. Other clear differences (P less than 0.05-0.01…

Alterations of mechanical characteristics of human skeletal muscle during strength training

To investigate the influence of strength training on the mechanical characteristics of human skeletal muscle, 14 male subjects went through training of combined heavy concentric and eccentric contractions three times a week for 16 weeks. The strength training program consisted mainly of dynamic exercises for leg extensors with loads of 80 to 120% of one maximum repetition. The force-time curves produced during various vertical jumps were the basis for calculation of various mechanical parameters. In addition to a great increase (p less than 0.001) in maximal isometric force, heavy resistance strength training also caused significant (p less than 0.05-0.01) increases in heights and in variou…

Neuromuscular mechanics and hopping training in elderly.

Purpose The present study examined the effects of repetitive hopping training on muscle activation profiles and fascicle–tendon interaction in the elderly. Methods 20 physically active elderly men were randomly assigned for training (TG) and control groups (CG). TG performed supervised bilateral short contact hopping training with progressively increasing training volume. Measurements were performed before the training period (BEF) as well as after 2 weeks (2 W) and 11 weeks (11 W) of training. During measurements, the gastrocnemius medialis–muscle (GaM) fascicle and its outer Achilles tendon length changes during hopping were examined by ultrasonography together with electromyographic (EMG…

Effects of ageing on motor unit activation patterns and reflex sensitivity in dynamic movements.

Both contraction type and ageing may cause changes in H-reflex excitability. H reflex is partly affected by presynaptic inhibition that may also be an important factor in the control of MU activation. The purpose of the study was to examine age related changes in H-reflex excitability and motor unit activation patterns in dynamic and in isometric contractions. Ten younger (YOUNG) and 13 elderly (OLD) males performed isometric (ISO), concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) plantarflexions with submaximal activation levels (20% and 40% of maximal soleus surface EMG). Intramuscular EMG data was analyzed utilizing an intramuscular spike amplitude frequency histogram method. Average H/M ratio was a…

Signal characteristics of EMG during fatigue

Electromyographic (EMG) activity of m. rectus femoris muscle was registered from young male and female subjects during maintained isometric knee extension at 60% of maximal voluntary contraction. The following EMG parameters were analyzed for the entire fatigue time: integrated EMG (IEMG), averaged motor unit potential (AMUP) and power spectral density function (PSDF). The results indicated a slight but continuous rise of IEMG during the fatigue period. AMUP showed sensitivity to fatigue with increase in amplitude, rise time, and number of spikes counted. PSDF was also easily affected by fatigue so that the total power density curve was shifted towards lower frequencies with a high frequenc…

Force and EMG power spectrum during eccentric and concentric actions

This study was designed to examine the force and activation levels of elbow flexor muscles during preactivated eccentric, concentric and isometric actions.Force, average EMG (aEMG), and the EMG power spectrum were investigated at different constant movement velocities (1 rad x s(-1), 2 rad x s(-1), 3 rad x s(-1), and 4 rad x s(-1)) at different joint angles.Average force at a 110 degree elbow angle was lower and aEMG was higher in concentric actions as compared with eccentric and isometric actions. At a 55 degree elbow angle, there was no difference in aEMG, or it was slightly higher in eccentric actions. MF was higher in the concentric as compared with eccentric actions at the three fastes…

Effects of fatiguing jumping exercise on mRNA expression of titin-complex proteins and calpains.

Eccentric exercise induced by electrostimulation increases mRNA expression of titin-complex proteins in rodent skeletal muscle. In this study, mRNA expression of titin, muscle LIM protein (MLP), cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP), ankyrin repeat domain protein 2 (Ankrd2), diabetes-related ankyrin repeat protein (DARP), and calcium-activated proteinases, calpains, were investigated in human skeletal muscle after fatiguing jumping exercise. Fatiguing jumping exercise did not change mRNA expression of titin, DARP, calpain 1, or calpain 3. MLP, Ankrd2 and calpain 2 mRNA levels were increased 2 days postexercise. CARP mRNA level was already elevated 30 min and remained elevated 2 days postexe…

Disturbed motor control of rhythmic movement at 2 h and delayed after maximal eccentric actions.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of exercise-induced muscle damage on elbow rhythmic movement (RM) performance and neural activity pattern and to investigate whether this influence is joint angle specific. Ten males performed an exercise of 50 maximal eccentric elbow flexions in isokinetic machine with duty cycle of 1:15. Maximal dynamic and isometric force tests (90 degrees , 110 degrees and 130 degrees elbow angle) and both active and passive stretch reflex tests of elbow flexors were applied to the elbow joint. The intentional RM was performed in the horizontal plane at elbow angles; 60-120 degrees (SA-RM), 80-140 degrees (MA-RM) and 100-160 degrees (LA-RM). All measure…

EMG frequency spectrum, muscle structure, and fatigue during dynamic contractions in man

Fatigue of the vastus lateralis muscle was studied in healthy well-conditioned students, who differed considerable regarding their muscle fibre type distribution. Muscle force decline during repeated maximum voluntary knee extensions at a constant angular velocity (180 degree X s-1 or rad X s-1), using isokinetic equipment, was taken as the criterion for the degree of fatigue. In an attempt to study quantitative as well as qualitative changes in the EMG pattern, integrated EMG (IEMG) and the frequency of the mean power (MPF), computed from the power spectral density function (PSDF), were analysed. It was found that individuals with muscles made up of a high proportion of fast twitch (FT) mu…

Reduced reflex sensitivity persists several days after long-lasting stretch-shortening cycle exercise

The mechanisms related to the acute and delayed secondary impairment of the stretch reflex function were investigated after long-lasting stretch-shortening cycle exercise. The results demonstrated a clear deterioration in muscle function immediately after fatigue, which was accompanied by a clear reduction in active and passive reflex sensitivity. For active and passive stretch reflexes, this reduction was biphasic ( P &lt; 0.05 to P &lt; 0.001). However, for the ratio of the electrically induced maximal Hoffmann reflex to the maximal mass compound action potential, only one significant reduction was seen immediately after fatigue (71.2%, P &lt; 0.01). A similar significant ( P &lt; 0.01) d…

Plasma catecholamine responses and neural adaptation during short-term resistance training

Low exercise-induced plasma adrenaline (A) responses have been reported in resistance-trained indi- viduals. In the study reported here, we investigated the interaction between strength gain and neural adaptation of the muscles, and the plasma A response in eight healthy men during a short-term resistance-training period. The subjects performed 5 resistance exercises (E1-E5), consisting of 6 sets of 12 bilateral leg exten- sions performed at a 50% load, and with 2 days rest in between. Average electromyographic (EMG) signal amplitude was recorded before and after the exercises, from the knee extensor muscles in isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) as well as during the exercises (a…

Biomechanical Loading of Achilles Tendon During Normal Locomotion

Direct in vivo Achilles tendon force measurements open up new possibilities for understanding the loading of the Achilles tendon during natural locomotion. This article describes how these human experiments can be performed. The results of these experiments imply that Achilles tendon forces are unexpectedly high in certain activities (e.g., hopping) and that the rates of loading rather than the absolute magnitudes of the recorded forces may be more relevant for clinical purposes as well as for the construction of artificial tendon materials.

Achilles tendon length changes during walking in long-term diabetes patients

Diabetes leads to numerous side effects, including an increased density of collagen fibrils and thickening of the Achilles tendon. This may increase tissue stiffness and could affect stretch distribution between muscle and tendinous tissues during walking. The primary aim of this study was to examine stretch distribution between muscle and tendinous tissues in the medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit in long-term diabetes patients and control subjects during walking.Achilles tendon length changes were investigated in 13 non-neuropathic diabetes patients and 12 controls, whilst walking at a self selected speed across a 10 m force platform. Electromyographic activity was recorded in the me…

Achilles tendon loading during walking: application of a novel optic fiber technique.

An optic fiber (O 0.5 mm) was utilized for the study of Achilles tendon forces (ATF) in eight volunteers who walked over a 10 m force platform at three speeds (1.1 ± 0.1 m × s−1, 1.5 ± 0.1 m × s−1 and 1.8 ± 0.2 m × s−1). The presented ATF-time curves showed great intersubject variation in magnitudes of the sudden release of force after initial contact and in the peak ATF's (1430 ± 500 N). This intersubject variation in the peak force decreased only by 4% when cross-sectional area of the tendon was considered. Measured ground reaction forces and plantar pressures confirmed that the subjects walked quite normally during recordings. The peak ATF was found to be rather insensitive to speed in c…

Breaststroke swimmer's knee

The cause of the breaststroke swimmer's knee with medial pain of the knee joint has not been clearly identified. Breaststroke swimmers with knee pain were, therefore, examined arthros copically. None showed any other disorders of their knees than medial synovitis in seven of nine swimmers. Since structural abnormalities could be ruled out, biomechanical analyses utiliz ing cinematographic techniques were used to study patients swimming in a special flume with the speed set at 90% of their best competitive performance. The results indicate that the extension and flexion and also in some cases the hip abduction and adduction movements of the whip kick were performed with high peak angular ve…

In vivo achilles tendon loading' during jumping in humans

Elastic behaviour of the human tendomuscular system during jumping was investigated by determination of the in vivo Achilles tendon force. A buckle-type transducer was implanted under local anaesthesia around the right Achilles tendon of an adult subject. After calibration, the Achilles tendon force was recorded together with the triceps surae muscle electromyogram activity and high speed filming and ground reaction force during: a maximal vertical jump from a squat position, a maximal vertical jump from an erect standing position with a preliminary counter-movement, and repetitive submaximal hopping on the spot. Jumping heights were 33, 40 and 7 cm in the squat, the counter movement, and t…

Interaction between muscle stiffness and stretch reflex sensitivity after long-term stretch-shortening cycle exercise

The short latency stretch-reflex component (M1) and its interactions with muscle stiffness and with muscle performance were investigated before and after long-term stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise. Dramatic fatigue induced reduction in maximal SSC performance capability, and electromyographic activity was accompanied by a consistent decrease in the M1 reflex component and eccentric peak stiffness of the muscle. It can be suggested, therefore, that the decreased muscle performance is not simply a direct effect of central or peripheral fatigue, but is partly due to impairment of the ability to utilize stiffness-related elastic energy.

Genetic variation in neuromuscular performance.

Using a simple cumulative model of heredity plus environment, based on intrapair differences observed in monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twins, the relative contribution of heredity to the interindividual variance in several neuromuscular parameters was determined with 15 pairs of male (8 MZ and 7 DZ) and 14 pairs of female (7 MZ and 7 DZ) twins ranging in age from 10 to 14 years. The data disclosed that in boys the variability in maximal mechanical (anaerobic) power was 99.2% genetically determined under the environmental conditions of the study. The corresponding heritability estimate values for the patellar reflex time and reaction time were 97.5% and 85.7%, respectively. In girls the …

Age-related muscle activation profiles and joint stiffness regulation in repetitive hopping

Abstract It is well documented that increasing effort during exercise is characterized by an increase in electromyographic activity of the relevant muscles. How aging influences this relationship is a matter of great interest. In the present study, nine young and 24 elderly subjects did repetitive hopping with maximal effort as well as with 50%, 65%, 75% and 90% intensities. During hopping joint kinematics were measured together with electromyographic activity (EMG) from the soleus, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis and tibialis anterior muscles. The results showed that agonist activation increased in both age groups with increasing intensity. The highest jumping efficiency (E…

In vivo vibrational wave propagation in human tibiae at different ages

Vibrational wave propagation was tested in vivo on the tibial bone of both legs of 56 female volunteers. The impact was produced by a hammer with a force strain gauge and the response was monitored by two accelerometers. The peak amplitude of the accelerations, the velocity of the acceleration wave propagation and damping were analysed for comparison among the different age groups. The results showed significant negative correlations between age and the peak amplitude of acceleration, and the velocity of acceleration wave propagation (p less than 0.01). The damping time of the acceleration wave also had a negative correlation with age. These findings suggested that age differences were rela…

Asymmetry of gait after free flap reconstruction of severe tibial fractures with extensive soft-tissue damage.

Gait patterns of the preferred speed were investigated on 17 patients recovering (9 months-14 years) after reconstruction of severe tibial fractures. A novel data-acquisition system was used to record the plantar pressures as well as electromyographic (EMG) activities during walking. The results indicated incomplete recovery of symmetrical gait patterns. In particular, the duration of the stance phase was shorter on the operated side (mean (SD) 701 (90) ms compared with 765 (128) ms, p < 0.001). The peak pressure points under the foot were different on bilateral comparison, the operated side being regularly higher under the lateral forefoot area. This may imply attempts to reduce the loadin…

Changes in motor unit activity and metabolism in human skeletal muscle during and after repeated eccentric and concentric contractions.

This study was designed to investigate electromyographic (EMG), muscle glycogen and blood lactate changes in quadriceps muscle group during repeated 40 maximal eccentric and concentric contractions, and to follow the recovery in EMG, muscle glycogen and serum creatine kinase values during a 4 day period following the work test. The subjects were normal males and the test order (eccentric or concentric) was randomly selected. The results indicated first, that the EMG parameters (IEMG, AMUP), muscle glycogen and blood lactate changed in a similar manner during the both fatigue loads. Despite the high tension work no selective depletion of glycogen could be observed in the slow or fast twitch …

Store and recoil of elastic energy in slow and fast types of human skeletal muscles.

Stretch-shortening cycle refers to the mechanical condition in which store and recoil of elastic energy occur in the skeletal muscle. This leads to a greater work output when compared to a simple shortening contraction. The subjects performed vertical jumps with and without preliminary counter-movement and with small and large knee angular displacement. The results indicated that those subjects who had more fast twitch (FT) fibers benefited more from the stretching phase performed with high speed and short angular displacement. The amounts of elastic energy stored in this phase were 30 and 26 N X kgBW-1, respectively, for FT and slow twitch (ST) type subjects. The recoil of elastic energy w…

Gait asymmetry in patients with limb length discrepancy.

Foot loading patterns and neuromuscular function of both limbs during walking were investigated on 25 patients with limb length discrepancy. Plantar pressures and 2-D ground reaction forces were recorded simultaneously with electromyographic activities at two different walking speeds. Bilateral comparison indicated that moderate limb length discrepancies resulted in asymmetrical gait patterns. The duration of the stance phase was reduced in the short limb in both walking speeds. The vertical ground reaction force (F) in the push-off phase was greater in the long limb both at normal (1.33 (SO, 0.05 BW) vs. 1.29 (SD, 0.09 BW)) (P=0.0027) and fast walking speed (1.55 (SD, 0.11) vs. 1.48 (SD, 0…

Force and EMG power spectrum during and after eccentric and concentric fatigue.

Eccentric and concentric force and median frequency of the EMG power spectrum were measured during and immediately after maximal eccentric (EE) and concentric (CE) exercise and during the recovery period of 1 week. Eight male subjects performed EE and CE consisting of 100 maximal eccentric and concentric actions with elbow flexors during two separate exercise sessions. When comparing maximal eccentric and concentric actions before the exercises, the average force was higher (P<0.001) in eccentric than in concentric but the average rectified EMG (aEMG) values were the same with the two types of action. The average eccentric force decreased 53.3% after EE and 30.6% after CE, while the average…

Neuromuscular, metabolic and hormonal profiles of young tennis players and untrained boys.

This study compared the neuromuscular, metabolic and hormonal profiles of trained prepubescent tennis players and an untrained group. The boys in the experimental group (n = 9; mean age +/- S.D. = 11.4 +/- 0.5 years) had participated in tennis training for 2.3 +/- 1.0 years and the boys in the control group (n = 9; mean age +/- S.D. = 10.9 +/- 0.4 years) were normal active volunteers. The tennis players were found to be physically more active than the controls when the comparison was made for either 1 year (4.9 +/- 1.8 vs 2.6 +/- 2.5 times per week; P less than 0.05) or for 1 week (3.4 +/- 1.2 vs 0.4 +/- 0.5 times; P less than 0.001) preceding the tests. Choice reaction time was significant…

Effect of electrode location on surface electromyography changes due to eccentric elbow flexor exercise.

Experiments were carried out to determine whether the location of electrodes has an effect on eccentric exercise–induced changes in surface electromyography (sEMG) variables in the biceps brachii muscle. sEMG signals were recorded with a grid of 64 electrodes before and up to 4 days post-exercise. Root mean square (RMS) and mean power frequency (MNF) were calculated for: (1) each channel; (2) as an average of all channels; and (3) as an average of individual channel rows and columns. Mean muscle-fiber conduction velocity (CV) was estimated similarly but was based on double-differential channels. Maximal isometric voluntary torque decreased 21.3 ± 5.6% post-exercise. The average sEMG variabl…

Stretch-reflex mechanical response to varying types of previous muscle activities

This study was designed to examine the effects of varying types of background muscle activity on the stretch-reflex mechanical response. A rapid stretch was applied to the calf muscles after an isometric (pre-ISO), shortening (pre-SHO) and lengthening contraction (pre-LEN) with several pre-contraction levels, respectively. The stretch perturbation was applied with the tibio-tarsal joint angle at 90 degrees. The ankle joint torque elicited by the stretch showed a first peak (non-reflex torque: NRT), a transient drop and a second peak (reflex torque: RT). The muscle activities before the stretch clearly influenced the stretch-reflex mechanical response. The NRT reached the largest peak with t…

Combined effect of elastic energy and myoelectrical potentiation during stretch-shortening cycle exercise.

In addition to the utilization of muscle's elastic energy enhancement of performance in exercise involving stretch-shortening cycle might be also due to simultaneous increase of myoelectrical activity. This hypothesis was tested by examining three athletes during jumping exercise on force-platform. Vertical jumps were performed with and without preliminary counter-movement, and the jumps were called counter-movement jump (CMJ) and squatting jump (SJ), respectively. In both conditions several jumps were performed also with extra loads on the shoulders (15–220% of b. wt.). Additional droppingjumps (DJ) were executed from different heights (20–100 cm). During jumping exercise myoelectrical act…

Effects of Training on the Exercise-Induced Changes in Serum Amino Acids and Hormones

The purpose of this study was to examine power-type athletes to determine changes in amino acid and hormone concentrations in circulating blood following 2 different high-intensity exercise sessions before and after the 5-week training period. Eleven competitive male sprinters and jumpers performed 2 different running exercise sessions: a short run session (SRS) of 3 x 4 x 60 m (intensity of 91-95%) with recoveries of 120 and 360 seconds, and a long run session (LRS) with 20-second intervals (intensity of 56-100%) with recoveries of 100 seconds to exhaustion. The concentrations of serum amino acids, hormones, and lactate were determined from the blood samples drawn after an overnight fast a…

Significance of passively induced stretch reflexes on achilles tendon force enhancement

An in vivo buckle transducer technique was applied to study the reflex contribution to ATF enhancement during passive dorsiflexion stretches. Single stretches led to a linear ATF increase in the absence of an EMG reflex response, whereas clear ATF enhancement over the passive component occurred 13-15 ms after the onset of EMG responses. To quantify the reflexly induced increase in ATF, the stretched position was maintained. The mean reflex effect was two to four times greater than the passive stretch effect.

Neuromuscular performance of lower limbs during voluntary and reflex activity in power- and endurance-trained athletes.

Neural, mechanical and muscle factors influence muscle force production. This study was, therefore, designed to compare possible differences in the function of the neuromuscular system among differently adapted subjects. A group of 11 power-trained athletes and 10 endurance-trained athletes volunteered as subjects for this study. Maximal voluntary isometric force and the rate of force production of the knee extensor and the plantar flexor muscles were measured. In addition, basic reflex function was measured in the two experimental conditions. The power athletes produced higher voluntary forces (P<0.01-0.001) with higher rates for force production (P<0.001) by both muscle groups measured. U…

Resistance exercise-induced hormonal responses in men, women, and pubescent boys.

PULLINEN, T., A. MERO, P. HUTTUNEN, A. PAKARINEN, and P. V. KOMI. Resistance exercise-induced hormonal responses in men, women, and pubescent boys. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 806 – 813, 2002. Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the acute plasma catecholamine (CA) response to resistance exercise and its association with serum testosterone (TES), cortisol (COR), and growth hormone (GH) concentration changes. Methods: Six men, six women, and six adolescent boys (14 0 yr) performed five sets of 10 knee extensions with 40% of one-repetition maximum followed by two sets performed to exhaustion. Arterialized venous blood was sampled before, during, and after the exerc…

Motor unit discharge rate in dynamic movements of the aging soleus

Aging is related to changes at the muscular level, leading to a decline in motor performance increasing the risk of falling and injury. It seems that the age-related changes in motor unit activation are muscle- and intensity dependent. The purpose of this study was to examine possible differences in soleus motor unit discharge rate (MUDR) in both isometric and dynamic contractions between young and elderly adults. 11 young (YOUNG) and 8 elderly (OLD) males participated in the study. The subjects performed isometric and dynamic plantar flexions while seated in an ankle dynamometer. The force levels studied were 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of the isometric (ISO) MVC in ISO and 10, 20 and 40% …

Interrelationships between electromyographic, mechanical, muscle structure and reflex time measurements in man.

Reaction time (TRT) with its premotor (PMT) and motor time (MT) components, patellar reflex time (TRfT) with its latency (LAT) and motor time (RfMT) were studied together with isometric force production and relaxation time variables in one leg isometric knee extension. These variables were intercorrelated together with muscle biopsy variables taken from m. vastus lateralis. From these computations MT proved to demonstrate significant correlations to rate of isometric force development (RFD) (P less than 0.001), maximum force (P0) (P less than 0.001) and per cent distribution of ST fibers (P less than 0.001). It is speculated that these relationships are determined by the pattern of the moto…

Effects of power training on neuromuscular performance and mechanical efficiency

Effects of power training with stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises on mechanical efficiency (ME) were investigated with 9 young women who trained 3 times a week for 4 months. The training included various types of jumping exercises. Before and after the training as well as after the detraining (2 months) the subjects performed 6 different submaximal exercises with a special sledge apparatus. Each exercise involved 60 muscle actions lasting for a total of 3 min per testing condition. The work intensities were determined individually according to the recordings of distance obtained during the single maximal concentric exercises. The training caused the greatest changes of ME in condition…

Serum thyroid hormones, thyrotropin and thyroxine binding globulin during prolonged strength training.

The effects of progressive strength training for 24 weeks on maximal strength and pituitary-thyroid function were studied in 21 males during the training and during the following detraining period of 12 weeks. Maximal strength increased greatly (p less than 0.001) in the first 20 weeks, followed by a plateau phase in the last 4 weeks of training. Maximal strength decreased greatly (p less than 0.001) during the detraining period. The concentrations of serum total (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4) decreased (p less than 0.05 and less than 0.01, respectively) during the training period and they rose to pretraining levels during the detraining period. During the most intense training phase (the la…

Effects of muscle – tendon length on joint moment and power during sprint starts

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of muscle-tendon length on joint moment and power during maximal sprint starts. Nine male sprinters performed maximal sprint starts from the blocks that were adjusted either to 40 degrees or 65 degrees to the horizontal. Ground reaction forces were recorded at 833 Hz using a force platform and kinematic data were recorded at 200 Hz with a film camera. Joint moments and powers were analysed using kinematic and kinetic data. Muscle - tendon lengths of the medial gastrocnemius, soleus, vastus medialis, rectus femoris and biceps femoris were calculated from the set position to the end of the first single leg contact. The results indicated that bl…

Neural and mechanical responses of the triceps surae muscle group after 1 h of repeated fast passive stretches

Experiments were carried out to examine interaction between mechanical changes of the muscletendon unit and reduced reflex sensitivity after repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching (RPS). There is some evidence that this interaction might be relevant also during active stretch-shortening cycle type of fatigue tasks. The results demonstrated a clear deterioration of voluntarily and electrically induced muscle contractions after RPS. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), average electromyographic activities of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and maximal twitch contraction decreased on average by 13.8, 10.4, 7.6, and 16.8%, respectively. In addition, there was a 14% lengthening …

Mechanical efficiency in athletes during running.

The purpose of this study was to compare the external mechanical efficiency (ME) between power-trained athletes (n = 5) and endurance-trained athletes (n = 5). The relationships between biomechanical variables and metabolic cost were also investigated. The subjects ran at 3 different speeds (2.50 m.s-1, 3.25 m.s-1 and 4.00 m.s-1) both on the treadmill and on the track. The external work of the subjects was determined by a kinematic arm, and energy expenditure was determined by measuring oxygen consumption and respiratory exchange ratio. Biomechanical parameters included ground reaction forces, angular displacements of the knee and ankle joints and electromyography (EMG) of the selected musc…

The role of the stretch reflex in the gastrocnemius muscle during human locomotion at various speeds

In the present study, the fascicle length ( Lfa) of the human medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle was monitored to evaluate possible input from the short-latency stretch reflex (SLR) during the stance phase of running and to examine its timing at various running speeds. Eight subjects ran at 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 6.5 m/s. The Lfa was measured with the high-speed ultrasound fascicle scanning together with kinematics and myoelectrical activities. The amplitudes and onset latency of SLR activities were determined. During ground contact, the sudden MG fascicle stretch occurred during the early contact at all running speeds. This was followed by the fascicle shortening. The timing of fascicle stretch…

Interrelationships between Muscle Structure, Muscle Strength, and Running Economy

The present study was designed to investigate possible differences in running economy (RE) among elite middle-distance runners by examining muscle structure and maximal isometric force (MVC).Ten young male runners ran at six different running speeds. During the running bouts, respiratory gases, and blood lactate were measured. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle for analyzing fiber type distribution, muscle fiber area, myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition, activities of a number of metabolic enzymes (citrate synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphofruktokinase, and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase), and titin isoforms.Energy expenditure (EE) increased linearly up t…

Ultrasound as a Tool to Record Muscle Function during Normal Locomotion

Muscle damage induced by stretch-shortening cycle exercise

Strenuous stretch-shortening cycle exercise was used as a model to study the leakage of proteins from skeletal muscle.The analysis included serum levels of creatine kinase (S-CK), myoglobin (S-Mb), and carbonic anhydrase (S-CA III). Blood samples from power- (N=11) and endurance-trained (N=10) athletes were collected before, 0, and 2 h after the exercise, which consisted of a total of 400 jumps.The levels of all determined myocellular proteins increased immediately after the exercise (P0.05-0.001) among both subject groups. In the endurance group, the protein levels increased (P0.05-0.001) further during the following 2 h after the exercise, and the ratio of S-CA III and S-Mb decreased (P0.…

Mechanical step variability during treadmill running.

The present study was designed to study intra-individual step variability measured both on vertical displacement of the body (delta Z) and on step time (delta t) parameters by means of a kinematic arm and during treadmill running. A group of 17 subjects ran successively at 60%, 80%, 100% and 140% of their maximal aerobic velocity (Vamax). The total number of steps analysed was 6116. The absolute delta Z step variability (sigma delta Z) ranged between 5 mm and 21 mm while the absolute delta t variability (sigma delta t) ranged between 6 ms and 40 ms. Step variabilities were due to step asymmetry (from 38.5% to 48.5% of the step variability) and to stride variability. For submaximal velocitie…

Effect of skiing speed on ski and pole forces in cross-country skiing.

Purpose: The present study characterized pole and ski forces in classical technique cross-country skiing. Eight elite junior cross-country skiers performed diagonal skiing at 65%, 75%, 90%, and 100% of maximum speed on a stable 100-m-low uphill (2.5[degrees]). Method: The ski and the pole forces (vertical (Fz) and horizontal (Fy) directions) on the right and left sides were recorded separately when the skier skied over a special custom-made force platform system placed at the end of the uphill course. The entire system consisted of four separate 20-m-long rows of 1-m-long force plates connected in series, row by row. Results: When the forces were averaged for the various functional phases o…

Electromechanical delay in skeletal muscle under normal movement conditions.

Electromechanical delays (EMD), the time from onset of EMG activity to change in acceleration or deceleration of the forearm, were studied in concentric and eccentric contractions of biceps and triceps brachii muscles. Horizontal flexion and extension movements were performed at varying speeds by 10 subjects. EMD time in concentric contractions for biceps was 41 +/- 13 ms and for triceps was 26 +/- 11 ms and was not influenced by the velocity of the movement. In eccentric contractions at the slow velocity the biceps EMD time was 38 +/- 13 ms and shortened to 28 +/- 10 ms at the faster velocity. The eccentric triceps EMD, however, was not significantly altered by movement velocity and averag…

Serum hormone concentrations during prolonged training in elite endurance-trained and strength-trained athletes.

A study of 1 year was performed on nine elite endurance-trained athletes (swimmers) and on eight elite strength-trained athletes (weightlifters) in order to examine the effects of training on the endocrine responses and on physical performance capacity. The measurements for the determination of serum hormone concentrations were performed at about 4-month intervals during the course of the year. The primary findings demonstrated that during the first and most intensive training period of the year in preparing for the primary competitions similar but statistically insignificant changes were observed in the concentrations of serum testosterone, free testosterone and cortisol in both the endura…

Loading and gait symmetry during level and stair walking in asymptomatic subjects with knee osteoarthritis: importance of quadriceps femoris in reducing impact force during heel strike?

Repetitive impulsive forces during walking are claimed to result in joint osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate impact loading and gait symmetry during level and stair walking in asymptomatic elderly subjects with knee OA. It was hypothesised that pre-activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QF) would be an important factor reducing impulsive loading when walking on level ground. Subjects [21 female, six men, 66.2 (7.6) years] were studied. The subjects had no knee pain or diminished functional capacity, but showed radiographically light or moderate bilateral knee OA changes. Ground reaction forces (GRFs), plantar pressure distribution, muscle activation pattern [v…

Muscle strength and body composition as determinants of blood pressure in young men

The correlations of blood pressure to various indices of muscularity and fatness were studied in 183 young healthy men (mean age 19.7, SD 2.1 years). Systolic pressure showed significant positive correlations with body fat percentage, isometric strength of trunk extensors, body mass index, lean body mass, strength of leg extensors, heart rate, and the sum of four skinfolds. Diastolic pressure had significant positive correlations with body mass index, lean body mass, body fat percentage, sum of skinfolds, strength of leg extensors, strength of trunk extensors, and age. A stepwise selective multiple regression analysis for systolic pressure resulted in four significantly correlating variable…

Comparison between the directly measured achilles tendon force and the tendon force calculated from the ankle joint moment during vertical jumps.

Summary The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship between the achilles tendon force and the tendon force estimated from the ankle joint moment (EATF) during vertical jump. A healthy male subject performed the following jumps on the force platform: (a) maximal vertical jump from a squat position without counter-movement; (b) maximal vertical jump from an erect standing position with a preliminary counter-movement; (c) repetitive submaximal hopping on the spot with preferred frequency. The achilles tendon force was measured directly with an implanted tendon transducer in all jumping conditions. In addition the joint moment obtained from the film and ground reaction force was u…

Endurance of Muscle Contraction under Hypnosis

Leg stiffness modulation during exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle exercise.

The present study examined the effects of muscle activity modulation on leg stiffness during an exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise in eight male subjects. Reaction force, electromyography (EMG) of the soleus (Sol), gastrocnemius (Ga) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles and sledge seat position were recorded during the SSC exercise, consisting of 100 maximal intermittent drop jumps followed by a continuous submaximal jumping until exhaustion, on a sledge apparatus. Metabolic loading was determined by measuring blood lactate (La). No change was found in leg stiffness during the maximal jumps, whereas the subsequent submaximal jumping induced a significant reduction by 27+/-12% (…

Effect of isometric strength training of mechanical, electrical, and metabolic aspects of muscle function.

Monozygous twin pairs (two female and four male) were used in a strength training study so that one member of each pair served as training subject (TS) and the other members as nonexercising controls (CS). TS trained four times a week for 12 weeks with maximal isometric knee extensions of the right leg. The parameters studied included muscle strength, endurance time, electromyographic activity, and activities of several key enzymes in nonoxidative and oxidative muscle metabolism. The results disclosed that in addition to a 20% increase in isometric knee extension strength in the trained leg of TS, an average increase of 11% was observed in strength of TS untrained leg. CS did not demonstrat…

Strength training and neuromuscular function in elderly people with total knee endoprosthesis

The effects of 1 year of intensive strength training on neuromuscular function were studied in elderly people operated for total endoprosthesis (n=30) divided into 3 groups: training pup 1 (TG1, n=11), training pup 2 (TG2, n=10) and control group (CG, n=9). After the operation, TG1 and TG2 trained every second day and the training was controlled by training diaries, and CG performed only conventional exercises by themselves. The overall volume of training in TG2 was 30% greater than in TG1. Neuromuscular function was examined by measuring maximal electromyography (EMG) and maximum voluntary isometric and dynamic strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles. The range of motion of the kn…

Signal Characteristics of EMG at Different Levels of Muscle Tension

Electromyographic activity of m. rectus femoris at submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions was quantified by conventional integration technique and also be a more "qualitative" procedure of automated motor unit averaging and frequency spectrum analysis. By relating the EMG parameters to produced muscle tension it was observed that the integrated EMG increased in a slightly nonlinear fashion with the increase in muscle force. The other EMG variables also showed clear changes as a function of muscle tension. The averaged motor unit potential (AMUP) and its specific parameters (number of spikes, amplitude, rise time and amplitude-rise time ratio) showed such changes with muscle tension t…

Free amino acid pool and muscle protein balance after resistance exercise.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a resistance exercise session (RES) on free amino acid concentrations and protein synthesis and breakdown of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during recovery in male subjects.Both the exercise group (EG) and the control group (CG) consisted of six healthy physically active men. On the experiment day in fasting conditions, a stable isotopic tracer of L-[ring-2H(5)] phenylalanine was infused and EG started a heavy 50-min hypertrophic RES for lower extremities after 55 min of infusion. At the same time, CG was at rest. During recovery of 195 min after RES, several blood samples were drawn from the femoral artery (FA) and the femoral vein (FV) …

Muscle fascicle and tendon behavior during human locomotion revisited.

High-speed ultrasonography has revealed that, in human locomotion, the nature of fascicle and tendon length changes varies depending on the task, contraction intensity, and the muscles involved. The findings emphasize that the active fascicles of the gastrocnemius muscle are suddenly stretched, although they are shortening. This short-lasting stretch triggers the stretch reflex, timing of which is dependent on running speed.

Specific muscle-tendon architecture in elite Kenyan distance runners

The Achilles tendon moment arm (MA_AT) and foot lever ratio (FLR) can play important roles for force production and movement economy during locomotion. This notion has become more relevant, and suggestion has been given that the Kenyan runners belonging to the world elite would have specific anatomical, mechanical, and functional properties in their lower limbs and that this feature could be responsible for their high running economy. The present study aimed to characterize the AT of elite Kenyan distance runners as compared with Japanese ones, and to examine the potential relationship with their running performance. Ultrasonography was used to measure AT cross-sectional area and AT soleus …

Short-latency stretch reflex modulation in response to varying soleus muscle activities.

The current investigation examined the effect of various types of background muscle contractions on the short-latency stretch reflex (SLR) elicited from the soleus muscle while subjects were in a sitting position. A stretch was applied to the calf muscles while they performed an isometric (pre-ISO), shortening (pre-SHO) and lengthening contraction (pre-LEN) with several pre-contraction levels. The ankle was at a 90 degrees tibio-tarsal joint angle when the perturbation was applied. Subjects developed and maintained a given pre-load level, which was maintained at various percentages of the maximum voluntary isometric plantar flexion torque. This was performed at 80 degrees in pre-SHO, 90 deg…

Adaptive changes in motor control of rhythmic movement after maximal eccentric actions.

Effects of an exhaustive eccentric exercise (EE) on the motor control of maximal velocity rhythmic elbow extension/flexion movement (RM) were examined in eight male students. The exhaustive EE consisted of 100 maximal eccentric actions of the elbow flexor muscles. Movement range was 40-170 degrees in EE at an angular velocity of 2rads(-1). A directive scaled RM of 60 degrees with visual feedback was performed in a sitting position, with the right forearm fixed to the lever arm in horizontal plane above protractor. Surface electromyographic activity (EMG) was recorded from the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles. Maximal isokinetic eccentric and concentric tests and RM test …

Hormonal Responses to a Resistance Exercise Performed Under the Influence of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Hormonal responses to an unaccustomed knee-extension exercise (E1; 5 times 10 repetitions with 40% load of 1RM [1 repetition maximum] followed by 2 sets until exhaustion) were compared in 6 men with the corresponding responses to an identical exercise performed 2 days later under the influence of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) (E2). Both exercises were performed with a variable-resistance machine causing exhaustion with significantly fewer repetitions than a normal constant-resistance knee-extension device does. The E1 induced DOMS as expected, but the 1RM, the total work done, and the repetition number and frequency were not different in the 2 exercises. In the 2 sets to failure, the…

Take-off aerodynamics in ski jumping

The effect of aerodynamic forces on the force-time characteristics of the simulated ski jumping take-off was examined in a wind tunnel. Vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces were recorded with a force plate installed under the wind tunnel floor. The jumpers performed take-offs in non-wind conditions and in various wind conditions (21-33 m s(-1)). EMGs of the important take-off muscles were recorded from one jumper. The dramatic decrease in take-off time found in all jumpers can be considered as the result of the influence of aerodynamic lift. The loss in impulse due to the shorter force production time with the same take-off force is compensated with the increase in lift force, res…

Stretch shortening cycle fatigue: interactions among joint stiness, reflex, and muscle mechanical performance in the drop jump

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of strenuous stretch-shortening cycle exercise on the relationship between reflex and stiffness regulation during the drop jump. Ten healthy male subjects performed submaximal stretch-shortening cycle exercise on a special sledge apparatus. Exhaustion occurred on average within 3 min. A drop jump test from a 50-cm height was performed immediately before and after the sledge exercise, as well as 2 h, 2 days and 4 days later. The fatigue exercise showed relatively high blood lactate concentrations 12.5 (SD 2.6) mmol·l−1 and a 2-day delayed increase of serum cretaine kinase concentration. In drop jumps, the short latency M1 compone…

In vivo muscle mechanics during locomotion depend on movement amplitude and contraction intensity

The effects of movement amplitude and contraction intensity on triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscle function were studied during repetitive hopping. In vivo forces from Achilles and patellar tendons were recorded with the optic fibre technique from eight volunteers. The performances were filmed (200 Hz) to determine changes in muscle-tendon unit length and velocity. When hopping with a small amplitude (23 degrees knee flexion during the ground contact phase), the Achilles tendon was primarily loaded whereas patellar tendon forces were greater in large-amplitude hopping (56 degrees knee flexion). In spite of the different magnitudes of stretch in the quadriceps femoris muscle, the str…

Bimodal Recovery Pattern in Human Skeletal Muscle Induced by Exhaustive Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise:

Introduction/Purpose: Recovery of force and stretch reflex from exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise is usually bimodal, characterized as immediate exercise-induced performance reduction, with its quick recovery followed by a longer-lasting reduction in performance. A clear parallel exists between the respective changes in performance, neural activation, and metabolic or structural exercise-induced changes. This implies the existence of potential coupling between muscle failure and the induced neural adjustments that take place along its recovery. The present study was designed to explore the evidence of this coupling more thoroughly. Methods: H- and stretch reflexes were meas…

Motor Unit Firing Behaviour of Soleus Muscle in Isometric and Dynamic Contractions

Introduction. Understanding the detailed control of human locomotion and balance can be improved, when individual motor units can be isolated and their firing rates followed in natural movement of large, fuctionally important muscles. For this reason the present study investigated the motor unit discharge rate (MUDR) in isometric and dynamic contractions of the soleus muscle. Methods: Eleven males performed isometric (10–100% MVC) and dynamic (10–40% MVC) plantar flexions. Intramuscular EMG was measured from Soleus with bipolar wire-electrodes and decomposed with custom built “Daisy” software. Results. The Soleus MUDR was significantly higher in concentric compared to isometric or eccentric…

Biomechanical loading in the triple jump

The triple jump is a demanding field event in which a jumper must tolerate extremely high impact forces while maintaining high horizontal speed. The present study was designed to clarify the mechanical loading characteristics and the role of neuromuscular function in the triple jump. Seven national triple jumpers (4 males, 3 females) volunteered to perform 3-6 jumps. The mean best performances were 14.32+/-0.45 m and 11.90+/-0.28 m for males and females, respectively. The three longest triple jumps for each jumper were selected for final analysis. The mean contact times were 0.139 s (hop), 0.157 s (step) and 0.177 s (jump). The largest ground reaction forces were observed in the step (15.2 …

Neuromuscular, anaerobic, and aerobic performance characteristics of elite power athletes.

Various aspects of neuromuscular, anaerobic, and aerobic performance capacity were investigated in four powerlifters, seven bodybuilders, and three wrestlers with a history of specific training for several years. The data (means +/- SD) showed that the three subject groups possessed similar values for maximal isometric force per unit bodyweight (50.7 +/- 9.6, 49.3 +/- 4.1, and 49.3 +/- 10.9 N/kg, respectively). However, significant (P less than 0.05) differences were observed in the times for isometric force production, so that e.g., times to produce a 30% force level were shorter for the wrestlers and bodybuilders (28.3 +/- 3.1 and 26.4 +/- 6.6 ms) than that (53.3 +/- 23.7 ms) for the powe…

Resistance exercise-induced hormonal response under the influence of delayed onset muscle soreness in men and boys

It was hypothesized that exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD)-related alterations in hormonal responses could be observed if a second exercise bout is performed soon after an identical unaccustomed bout leading to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eight men (31 ± 7 years) and eight boys (14 ± 0 years) performed two exercise bouts (E1 and E2, with 48 h rest in between) consisting of three sets of bilateral knee extensions until exhaustion with 40% load. No differences between the groups or bouts were observed in the number of repetitions performed and maximal isometric force decline, or between groups in serum creatine kinase activity and DOMS. Decreased peak epinephrine (EPI) (-38%), g…

Muscle strength and muscle characteristics in monozygous and dizygous twins.

Muscle strength and electrical activity were investigated on 31 pairs of young male and female monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twins. The measurements included leg forces, force-time, running velocity, muscular power, maximal integrated electromyographic activity (IEMG) and chronaximetry of the quadriceps muscle group. In each parameter the intrapair variance was computed and the differences were tested between the MZ and DZ twins. The variance ratio (MZ vs. DZ) was statistically significant only for muscular power confirming an earlier finding which has demonstrated a genetic component for the variable. In addition to the various performance variables several key enzymes involved in ATP …

The effects of muscle history on short latency stretch reflex response of soleus muscle

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the combined effects of muscle history, activation and stretching velocity on short latency stretch response (SLR). Stretches (70, 120 and 200 deg s-1) were elicited to both passive and active (10–25% MVC) triceps surae muscle with constant (ISO), lengthened (LEN) or shortened (SHO) muscle length. Under the passive SHO pre-condition both SLR amplitude and reflex torque (RT) decreased where as latency increased compared with the passive ISO pre-condition. Such observations were absent in active trials. Stretches applied to a lengthening passive muscle (LEN) resulted in smaller SLR amplitude and RT compared with passive ISO. In acti…

Interaction between pre-landing activities and stiffness regulation of the knee joint musculoskeletal system in the drop jump: implications to performance

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interaction between the pre-landing activities and the stiffness regulation of the knee joint musculoskeletal system and the takeoff speed during a drop jump (DJ). Nine healthy male subjects performed a DJ test from the height of 50 cm. The surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle was recorded to evaluate both the pre-landing and post-landing muscle activation levels. Simultaneous recording of the jumping motion and ground reaction force was performed by a high-speed video camera (100 frames x s(-1)), and a force platform was employed to allow joint moment analysis. Joint stiffness was calculated by …

The mechanical efficiency of locomotion in men and women with special emphasis on stretch-shortening cycle exercises.

The mechanical efficiency of the leg extensor musculature of men and women was examined with a special "sledge ergometer". The subjects (ten males and ten females) performed pure positive work, pure negative work and a combination of negative and positive work (stretch-shortening cycle). The mechanical efficiency of pure positive work was on average 19.8 +/- 1.2% for female subjects and 17.4 +/- 1.2% for male subjects (t = 4.12, P less than 0.001), although the work intensity was equal in both groups. The mechanical efficiency of pure negative work was slightly lower in women than in men (59.3 +/- 14.4% vs 75.6 +/- 29.3%). The mechanical efficiency of positive work (eta +) in a stretch-shor…

Effects of fatigue on isometric force- and relaxation-time characteristics in human muscle

Effects of intermittent one leg isometric fatigue on maximal isometric force, force production, relaxation and blood lactate were studied using 29 male students as subjects. The relative changes of variables during fatigue and recovery were intercorrelated together with muscle structure variables, which were determined using needle biopsy technique. Maximal force decreased, force production and relaxation became slower and muscle lactate increased during fatigue. Change of maximal force, force production and lactate during fatigue as well as recovery of maximal force and lactate after fatigue were correlated significantly to muscle fiber distribution. Fatiguability of the force-time charact…

Take-off analysis of the Olympic ski jumping competition (HS-106m).

Abstract The take-off phase (approximately 6 m) of the jumps of all athletes participating in the individual HS-106 m hill ski jumping competition at the Torino Olympics was filmed with two high-speed cameras. The high altitude of the Pragelato ski jumping venue (1600 m) and slight tail wind in the final jumping round were expected to affect the results of this competition. The most significant correlation with the length of the jump was found in the in-run velocity ( r =0.628, p n =50). This was a surprise in Olympic level ski jumping, and suggests that good jumpers simply had smaller friction between their skis and the in-run tracks and/or the aerodynamic quality of their in-run position …

From Isolated Actions to True Muscle Function

Influence of lactate accumulation of EMG frequency spectrum during repeated concentric contractions

One hundred and twenty consecutive maximal leg extensions at a constant angular velocity of 1.5 radians . s-1 were performed by nine physical education students. Integrated electromyographic (IEMG) activity and power spectrum density function (PSDF) of the EMG were recorded from m. vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and m. rectus femoris using bipolar surface electrodes. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis before and after exercise. Tissue samples were analyzed for muscle fiber type distribution and lactate and glycogen concentration. Muscle force and IEMG decreased in parallel over the exercise period. Thus, the IEMG/force ratio was unchanged. Mean power frequency (MPF) o…

A Comparative Study of Blood Lactate Tests in Swimming*

Three different modes of lactate tests were studied. Eleven male competitive swimmers performed the tests (n.100 m, n.300 m, 2.100m + 2.400 m) within 5 days. Swimming velocity (V) vs blood lactate (BLa) and V vs heart rate (HR) curves were averaged. In V vs BLa comparisons, the BLa values of 4 mmol.l-1 in 2.400 m, 3 mmol.l-1 in n.300 m, and 2 mmol.l-1 in n.100 m modes were found to correspond to the same V. Although the resting BLa values were similar before the testing occasions, the initial BLa value in very easy swimming was lower in the n.300 m than in the n.100 m mode. The elimination of lactate most probably caused this difference. The highest BLa value was measured in the n.100 m (14…

Electromechanical delay in human skeletal muscle under concentric and eccentric contractions.

In contraction of skeletal muscle a delay exists between the onset of electrical activity and measurable tension. This delay in electromechanical coupling has been stated to be between 30 and 100 ms. Thus, in rapid movements it may be possible for electromyographic (EMG) activity to have terminated before force can be detected. This study was designed to determine the dependence of the EMG-tension delay upon selected initial conditions at the time of muscle activation. The right forearms of 14 subjects were passively oscillated by a motor-driven dynamometer through flexion-extension cycles of 135 deg at an angular velocity of approximately equal to 0.5 rad/s. Upon presentation of a visual s…

Force-time characteristics and fiber composition in human leg extensor muscles

Recording of the force-time (f-t) characteristics of muscular contraction expresses the rate at which tension is developed. To further understand the problems involved in force production during voluntary contraction, the f-t curve was registered during maximal voluntary isometric extension of both legs performed in the sitting position with the knee angle at 107 degrees. 38 athletes representing various sport events, five pairs of monozygous, and ten pairs of dizygous twins were used as subjects. The reference group consisted of eight normal men. The data disclosed that the time to produce certain force levels showed good trial-to-trial and satisfactory day-to-day reproducibility below ten…

Characteristics of the early flight phase in the Olympic ski jumping competition.

Early flight phase (approximately 40 m) of the athletes participating in the final round of the individual large hill ski jumping competition in Salt Lake City Olympics was filmed with two high-speed pan & tilt video cameras. The results showed that jumpers' steady flight position was almost completed within 0.5s. The most significant correlation with the length of the jump was found in the angle between the skis and body (r=.714, p.001 at 1.1s after the take-off). This particular phase seemed to be important because the ski angle of attack was also related to the jumping distance at the same phase. Although the more upright ski position relative to flight path resulted in longer jumping di…

Prestretch potentiation of human skeletal muscle during ballistic movement

The conditions associated prior to and during the transition from prestretch to shortening may have considerable influence on the final performance of muscle. In the present study male subjects of good physical condition performed vertical jumps on the force-platform with and without preliminary counter movement. In the counter movement jump (CMJ) the amplitude of the knee bending, velocity of the prestretch and the force attained at end of prestretch were the primary parameters of interest. In addition the coupling time indicating the transition from the eccentric (prestretch) phase to the concentric phase was recorded from the angular displacement and reaction force curves. In the final c…

Mechanical Efficiency of SSC Exercise

Plantar pressure and EMG activity of simulated and actual ski jumping take-off

Plantar pressures and activation of the four muscles (VL - vastus lateralis, GL - gluteus, TA - tibialis anterior and GA - lat. gastrocnemius) were measured from ten ski jumpers under simulated laboratory conditions with training shoes (Lab TS) and with jumping boots (Lab JB) as well as in actual hill jumping conditions (Hill). The most significant differences between measured conditions were found in muscle activation patterns and plantar pressures prior to take-off. The centrifugal force due to the curvature of the inrun under actual hill jumping conditions caused extra pressure under the fore and rear parts of the feet (P<0.001) and therefore higher activation in all muscles (P<0.001 for…

Neuromuscular control in landing from supra-maximal dropping height.

International audience; The present study utilized high-impact supra-maximal landings to examine the influence of the pre-impact force level on the post-impact electromyographic (EMG) activity and, in particular, on the short latency EMG reflex (SLR) component. Unilateral-leg landings were performed in a sitting position on a sledge apparatus after release from high, but individually constant dropping height. A lower limb guiding device fixed to the front of the sledge seat allowed the subjects to sustain a given pre-set force level up to impact. This force level was either freely chosen or set at 20, 35, and 50% of maximal isometric plantarflexion force. EMG activity was recorded from eigh…

Sarcolemmal excitability as investigated with M-waves after eccentric exercise in humans

It has been shown that intensive eccentric muscle actions lead to prolonged loss of muscle force and sarcolemmal damage. This may lead to a reduction in the excitability of the sarcolemma and contribute to the functional deficit. Experiments were carried out to test sarcolemmal excitability after eccentric elbow flexor exercise in humans. Electrically elicited surface compound muscle action potential (M-wave) properties from 30s stimulation trains (20Hz) were analyzed in biceps brachii muscle immediately after, 1h and 48h after the exercise. M-wave area, amplitude, root mean square and duration were reduced immediately after the eccentric exercise. However, no such reduction could be observ…

Neuromuscular function and mechanical efficiency of human leg extensor muscles during jumping exercises

The influence of prestretch amplitude on the mechanical efficiency was examined with 5 subjects, who performed 5 different series of vertical jumps, each of which differed with respect to the mechanics of the knee joint action during the prestretch (eccentric) phase of the contact on the floor. Electromyographic activity was recorded from the major extensor muscles during the entire work period of 1 min per series. In addition, expired air was collected during the test and recovery for determination of energy expenditure. Mechanical work was calculated from the vertical displacement of the body during the jumps. The results indicated that high net efficiency of 38.7% was observed in conditi…

Reduced stretch-reflex sensitivity after exhausting stretch-shortening cycle exercise.

The stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) is an effective and natural form of muscle function but, when repeated with sufficient intensity or duration, it may lead to muscle damage and functional defects. A reduced tolerance to impact has been reported, which may be partly attributed to a reduced stretch-reflex potentiation. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of SSC-induced metabolic fatigue and muscle damage on the efficacy of stretch reflexes, as judged by the electromyograph (EMG) response of two shank muscles (lateral gastrocnemius LG, soleus SOL) to controlled ramp stretches. These EMG responses were recorded before and immediately after exhausting SSC-type leg exercise…

Effects of effort and EMG levels on short-latency stretch reflex modulation after varying background muscle contractions.

It is known that the short-latency stretch reflex (SLSR) is modulated by the background muscle activity when it is elicited at matched torque levels. This study was designed to examine the effects of muscle contraction types before a stretch perturbation on SLSR in the human soleus muscle (SOL) when SLSR was elicited at the same levels of effort and at matched electromyographic (EMG) activity levels. A mechanical stretch perturbation was applied to the calf muscles when the ankle joint reached a ninety degree tibio-tarsal joint angle after the muscles performed an isometric (pre-ISO), shortening (pre-SHO) and lengthening contraction (pre-LEN). Subjects were seated on an ankle ergometer chai…

Effects of marathon running on running economy and kinematics.

The present study was designed to investigate interactions between running economy and mechanics before, during, and after an individually run marathon. Seven experienced triathletes performed a 5-min submaximal running test on a treadmill at an individual constant marathon speed. Heart rate was monitored and the expired respiratory gas was analyzed. Blood samples were drawn to analyze serum creatine kinase activity (S-CK), skeletal troponin I (sTnI), and blood lactate (B-La). A video analysis was performed (200 frames · s−1) to investigate running mechanics. A kinematic arm was used to determine the external work of each subject. The results of the present study demonstrate that after the …

Activation and torque deficits in ACL-reconstructed patients 4 months post-operative

This study compares knee extension and flexion torques and electromyographic (EMG) activity of normal and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstructed knees during maximal unilateral isometric and isokinetic tests performed 4–5 months after ACL reconstruction. The subjects consisted of 3 age- and activity-matched groups of 6 subjects: a healthy control group (Ctrl) and 2 groups of patients, with Kenneth-Jones technique using autologous patellar-ligament graft (KJ group) and autologous graft from the semitendinosus tendon (ST group). When compared to the Ctrl group values, each patient group had significant bilateral extension torque deficits in isometric and at slow velocity concentric co…

Effect of explosive type strength training on isometric force- and relaxation-time, electromyographic and muscle fibre characteristics of leg extensor muscles.

Eleven male subjects (20-32 years) accustomed to strength training went through progressive, high-load strength training for 24 weeks with intensities ranging variably between 70 and 120% during each month. This training was also followed by a 12-week detraining period. An increase of 26.8% (P less than 0.001) in maximal isometric strength took place during the training. The increase in strength correlated (P less than 0.05) with significant (P less than 0.05-0.01) increases in the neural activation (IEMG) of the leg extensor muscles during the most intensive training months. During the lower-intensity training, maximum IEMG decreased (P less than 0.05). Enlargements of muscle-fibre areas, …

Altered reflex sensitivity after repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching.

Experiments were carried out to test the effect of prolonged and repeated passive stretching (RPS) of the triceps surae muscle on reflex sensitivity. The results demonstrated a clear deterioration of muscle function immediately after RPS. Maximal voluntary contraction, average electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and zero crossing rate of the soleus muscle (recorded from 50% maximal voluntary contraction) decreased on average by 23.2, 19.9, 16.5, and 12.2%, respectively. These changes were associated with a clear immediate reduction in the reflex sensitivity; stretch reflex peak-to-peak amplitude decreased by 84.8%, and the ratio of the electrically induced m…

Estimation of errors in mechanical efficiency

Errors in measurements of mechanical work, net energy expenditure and mechanical efficiency (ME) were calculated, when subjects performed isolated eccentric or concentric muscle actions and combinations of these actions [stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises] with a special sledge apparatus. The relative error of mechanical work was 6.1%. When estimating the error of energy metabolism from oxygen consumption the error would be about 4% (McArdle et al. 1981). The maximum error of ME was the sum of these two values (10.1%). Obviously the error of ME was less than 5%, because 30 muscle actions were averaged and, in addition, the errors of mechanical work and energy expenditure were not in t…

Serum hormones and physical performance capacity in young boy athletes during a 1-year training period

Serum hormones and physical performance capacity in boy athletes (AG; n = 19) were investigated during a 1-year training period (between the ages of 11.6 and 12.6 years). Six young untrained boys served as the control group (CG). The mean serum testosterone concentration increased significantly in AG (P less than 0.05) following the training period from 2.92 nmol.l-1, SD 1.04 to 5.81 nmol.l-1, SD 1.33. Significant differences were not observed in the cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin and growth hormone levels during the follow-up period. The AG clearly increased speed (P less than 0.001), speed-strength (P less than 0.01-P less than 0.001) and anaerobic capacity (P less than 0.001) whe…

A comparison of the triceps surae and residual muscle moments at the ankle during cycling.

The rigid linked system model and principles of inverse dynamics have been widely used to calculate residual muscle moments during various activities. EMG driven models and optimization algorithms have also been presented in the literature in efforts to estimate skeletal muscle forces and evaluate their possible contribution to the residual muscle moment. Additionally, skeletal muscle-tendon forces have been measured, directly, in both animals and humans. The purpose of this investigation was to calculate the moment produced by the triceps surae muscles and compare it to the residual muscle moment at the ankle during cycling at three power outputs (90, 180 and 270 W). Inferences were made r…

Neuromuscular and hormonal responses in elite athletes to two successive strength training sessions in one day

Acute neuromuscular and endocrine adaptations to weight-lifting were investigated during two successive high intensity training sessions in the same day. Both the morning (I) (from 9.00 to 11.00 hours) and the afternoon (II) (from 15.00 hours to 17.00 hours) training sessions resulted in decreases in maximal isometric strength (p less than 0.01 and less than 0.05), shifts (worsening) in the force-time curve in the absolute scale (p less than 0.05 and ns.) and in decreases in the maximal integrated EMG (p less than 0.01 and less than 0.05) of the selected leg extensor muscles. Increases in serum total (p less than 0.05) and free testosterone (p less than 0.01) and in cortisol (p less than 0.…

Medial gastrocnemius muscle behavior during human running and walking.

Utilization of elastic energy in the tendinous tissues (TT) of the human skeletal muscle may be task dependent. The present study was designed to investigate this problem by comparing the fascicle-TT interaction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) during ground contact of running and walking. Seven subjects ran and walked with a natural cadence. Ankle and knee joint angular data were recorded by electrogoniometers for estimating the entire MG muscle-tendon unit (MTU) length, together with the ground reaction forces. The MG fascicle length was measured by using the high-speed ultrasound image scanning during movements. The results showed that in running, after the rapid early fascicle st…

Changes in neuromuscular performance and muscle fiber characteristics of elite power athletes self-administering androgenic and anabolic steroids

The influence of androgenic-anabolic steroid-induced changes in measures of body composition, muscle fiber characteristics and various aspects of the neuromuscular performance of the leg extensor muscles was investigated in five experimental and six control power athletes during the 24-week programmed strength training followed by the additional six week training without hormone drugs. The mean values of the dosages of self-administration during the 24-week period were 31.0 +/- 14.3 mg/day for anabolic steroids (methandienone, stanozolol, nandrolone) and 178.4 +/- 82.7 mg/week for testosterone. During the 24-week hormone period the experimental group gained in fat-free weight (p less than 0…

Plasma catecholamine and serum testosterone responses to four units of resistance exercise in young and adult male athletes.

The plasma noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) concentration responses of seven young male athletes [15 (SD 1) years] and seven adult male athletes [25 (SD 6) years] were investigated together with the serum testosterone (Tes) concentration responses in four different half-squatting exercises. The loads, number of repetitions, exercise intensity and recovery between the sets were manipulated such that different types of metabolic demand could be expected. However, the amount of work done was kept equal in each kind of exercise. After the most exhausting unit of exercise (E3; two sets of 30 repetitions with 50% of 1 repetition maximum and with 2-min recovery between the sets) the plasma NA…

Ski jumping boots limit effective take-off in ski jumping

In this study, we measured the vertical and horizontal take-off forces, plantar pressures and activation patterns of four muscles (vastus lateralis, gluteus maximus, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) in 10 ski jumpers in simulated laboratory conditions when wearing either training shoes or ski jumping boots. We found significant differences in vertical (P < 0.001), horizontal (P < 0.05) and resultant (P < 0.001) take-off velocities and vertical force impulse (P < 0.01). We found no significant differences in the jumpers' initial take-off positions; however, the jumping boots condition resulted in a smaller displacement in the final position of the following joint angles: ankle angle (P < 0.…

Effects of long- and short-term fatiguing stretch-shortening cycle exercises on reflex EMG and force of the tendon-muscle complex

This study examined the fatigue effects of stretch-shortening cycle exercises of different intensity and duration on stretch reflex EMG and mechanical responses of the triceps surae muscle. Twelve subjects performed either a 10-km run ( n=6) or short but exhaustive rebound exercise on a sledge apparatus ( n=6). Passive reflex tests (mechanically induced ankle dorsiflexions) were examined before, after as well as 2 h, 2 and 7 days after exercise. Mechanical reflex responses were recorded from the ergometer torque signal. An acute contractile failure was observed as large reductions in twitch responses, especially in the sledge subgroup who showed high post-exercise peak blood lactate and an …

Age-related decreases in motor unit discharge rate and force control during isometric plantar flexion.

Aging is related to multiple changes in muscle physiology and function. Previous findings concerning the effects of aging on motor unit discharge rate (DR) and fluctuations in DR and force are somewhat contradictory. Eight YOUNG and nine OLD physically active males performed isometric ramp (RECR) and isotonic (ISO) plantar flexions at 10 and 20% of surface EMG at MVC. Motor unit (MU) action potentials were recorded with intramuscular fine-wire electrodes and decomposed with custom build software "Daisy". DR was lower in OLD in RECR-10% (17.9%, p0.001), RECR-20% (15.8%, p0.05), ISO-10% (17.7%, p0.01) and ISO-20% (14%, n.s.). In YOUNG force fluctuations were smaller at ISO-10% (72.1%, p0.001)…

Neuromuscular Behaviour of the Triceps Surae Muscle-Tendon Complex during Running and Jumping

The present study examined the behaviour of the Achilles tendon (AT) - triceps surae (TS) muscle complex during running and long jump take-off. High AT forces were measured in the push-off phase in running even with very low EMG activity. In the long jump, high rate of stiffness development was a characteristic of the braking phase of the jump. The results suggest that high and well-coordinated activation patterns of the leg extensor muscles during the preactivation and eccentric phases together with high stretching velocities of muscle-tendon complex provide basis for appropriate tendomuscular stiffness. This together with high force at the end of the eccentric phase enables an effective p…

Mechanical efficiency of locomotion in females during different kinds of muscle action

The mechanical efficiencies (ME) of pure positive and pure negative work as well as of stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise were investigated with a special sledge apparatus. The subjects were 20 young females who performed six different types of submaximal exercise: two of pure concentric exercise (positive work), two of pure eccentric exercise (negative work) and two SSC exercises. The work intensities were determined individually, from the recordings of distance obtained during a single maximal concentric exercise. Each exercise involved 60 muscle actions lasting a total of 3 min per testing condition. The MEs of pure positive work with intensities of 30% and 60% maximum (C30 and C60 …

Effects of marathon fatigue on running kinematics and economy

International audience; The influence of marathon fatigue on both running kinematics and economy was investigated with 8 subjects. The measurements included a treadmill test at 3 steady submaximal speeds performed before and after the marathon. One complete left leg cycle was videotaped at 100 Hz from the left side at each speed. The analysis included contact time (braking and push-off') and flight time as well as displacements and angular velocities of the left hip and knee. This analysis was complemented by the measurements of the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the gastrocnemius muscle at each running velocity, and energy expenditure (E) of the last 30.s at the 2 slowest speeds. The …

Muscle-Tendon Interaction During Human Dolphin-Kick Swimming

Without high impact forces, it is not clear how humans can utilize tendon elasticity during low-impact activities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the muscle-tendon behavior together with the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during the human dolphin-kicking. In a swimming pool, each subject (n = 11) swam the 25 m dolphin-kicking at two different speeds (NORMAL and FAST). Surface EMGs were recorded from the VL and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Simultaneous recordings of the knee joint angle by electro-goniometer and of the VL fascicle length by ultrasonography were used to calculate the muscle-tendon unit and tendinous length of VL (LMTU a…

Bone rigidity to neuromuscular performance ratio in young and elderly men.

Given the adaptation of bone to prevalent loading, bone loss should follow, but lag behind, the decline in physical performance during aging. Furthermore, bone responsiveness to load-induced strains is believed to decrease with aging. However, the relationship between bone and lean body ( approximately muscle) mass appears to remain rather constant throughout adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between age and bone to neuromuscular performance ratio. Young (N=20, age 24 SD+/-2 years, body mass 77+/-11 kg, height 178+/-6 cm) and elderly (N=25, 72+/-4 years, 75+/-9 kg, 172+/-5 cm) men served as subjects. Bone structural traits were measured at the right distal …

Effects of fatigue and recovery on electromyographic and isometric force- and relaxation-time characteristics of human skeletal muscle

Effects of fatigue produced by a maintained 60% isometric loading on electromyographic and isometric force-time and relaxation-time characteristics of human skeletal muscle were studied in 21 males accustomed to strength training. Fatigue loading resulted in a slight but not significant change in the maximal integrated EMG of a maximal isometric contraction, and a large decrease (20.4 +/- 6.3%, p less than 0.001) in maximal force. Fatigue loading increased (p less than 0.05-0.01) neural activation of the muscles during rapidly produced submaximal isometric forces, but had a considerable adverse effect (p less than 0.001) on the corresponding force-time characteristics. Correlations between …

Mechanical power test and fiber composition of human leg extensor muscles.

The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the mechanical power developed during new anaerobic power test and muscular fiber distribution. Ten track and field male athletes were used as subjects, whose muscle fiber composition (m. vastus lateralis) varied from 25 to 58 fast twitch (FT) fibers. The test consisted of measuring the flight time with a special timer during 60 s continuous jumping. A formula was derived to allow the calculation of mechanical power during a certain period of time (e.g., in the present study every 15 s during 60 s of jumping performance). The relationship between the mechanical power for the first 15 s period correlated best with fast twitc…

Force in the Achilles Tendon During Walking With Ankle Foot Orthosis

Background Ankle foot orthoses are used for postoperative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures and decrease calf muscle electromyography activity during walking. Hypothesis Achilles tendon load decreases with increased restriction of dorsiflexion and is associated with decreased triceps surae activity. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods In 8 subjects, the maximum force and rate of force development in the Achilles tendon were measured with an optic fiber technique, and the activity of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles was recorded using electromyography. Trial conditions were walking barefoot and wearing an ankle-foot orthoses set in 3 different positi…

Age-specific neuromuscular interaction during elderly habitual running

Aim It has been reported that advancing age causes tendons to become more compliant and fascicles length shorter. This could then lead to enhancement of movement efficiency provided that the elderly adults can activate their muscles in the same way as the younger adults (YOUNG) during dynamic movements. This study was designed to examine the age-specific behaviour of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) fascicles and tendinous tissues together with lower-leg muscle activities when the well-trained elderly runners ran on the treadmill at preferred speeds. Methods The well-trained 11 elderly subjects (ELD) who have running experiences and 11 YOUNG were recruited as subjects. While ELD were running o…

Motor unit activation patterns during isometric, concentric and eccentric actions at different force levels.

Motor unit activation patterns were studied during four different force levels of concentric and eccentric actions. Eight male subjects performed concentric and eccentric forearm flexions with the movement range from 100 degrees to 60 degrees in concentric and from 100 degrees to 140 degrees elbow angle in eccentric actions. The movements were started either from zero preactivation or with isometric preactivation of the force levels of 20, 40, 60 and 80% MVC. The subjects were then instructed to maintain the corresponding relative force levels during the dynamic actions. Intramuscular and surface EMG was recorded from biceps brachii muscle. Altogether 28 motoneuron pools were analyzed using…

Effects of β-adrenergic blockade on EMG signal characteristics during progressive exercise

The function of neuromuscular system in maximal stretch-shortening cycle exercises: Comparison between power- and endurance-trained athletes.

Abstract Differences in neuromuscular function between power athletes ( n = 10) and endurance athletes ( n = 10) were investigated in six different experimental conditions. In drop jumps and in stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises on the sledge (sledge jumps), the subjects performed about 10 maximal jumps from the optimum dropping height (O) as well as from the dropping height of optimum −40 cm (O − 40) and optimum +40 cm (O + 40). The five to six best jumps were taken for further analysis. In every condition the power group had better physical performance compared to their endurance counterparts. During the pre-activity, the rate of electromyographic (EMG) development of the power athl…

Acute hormonal responses to submaximal and maximal heavy resistance and explosive exercises in men and women.

The purpose of this study was to examine acute hormonal and neuromuscular responses in men and women to 3 heavy resistance but clearly different exercise protocols: (a) submaximal heavy resistance exercise (SME), (b) maximal heavy resistance exercise (HRE), and (c) maximal explosive resistance exercise (EE). HRE included 5 sets of 10 repetition maximum (10RM) situps, bench press, and bilateral leg extensions (David 210 machine) with a 2-minute recovery between the sets. In SME, the load was 70%, and in EE, the load was 40% from that used in HRE. A significant increase (p , 0.05) in serum growth hormone (GH) was observed after HRE both in men and women, but the increase was greater (p < 0.05…

Effect of exhausting stretch-shortening cycle exercise on the time course of mechanical behaviour in the drop jump: possible role of muscle damage.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of stretch-shortening-cycle-induced muscle damage on the time course of mechanical behaviour in the drop jump. Ten healthy male subjects performed submaximal stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise on a special sledge apparatus. Exhaustion occurred on average within 3 min. A drop jump (DJ) test from a 50-cm height was performed before and immediately after the sledge exercise as well as 2 h, 2 days and 4 days later. The fatigue exercise showed relatively high blood lactate concentration [12.5 (SD 2.6) mmol · 1−1] and an increase of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity delayed by 2 days [540 (SD 407) U · 1−1]. The initial decline …

Impaired action potential conduction at high force levels after eccentric exercise

High-density surface electromyography was used to examine whether gross sarcolemmal function is impaired in m. biceps brachii after intensive eccentric elbow flexor exercise, when measured at wide range of isometric contraction levels. Root mean square (RMS), mean power frequency (MNF) and mean muscle fibre conduction velocity (CV) were calculated before and up to four days post-exercise. Maximal isometric voluntary (MVC) force decreased by 21.3+/-5.6% two hours after exercise, and by 12.6+/-11.1% two days post-exercise. CV and MNF decreased both during MVC (CV from 4.1+/-0.3m/s to 3.8+/-0.4m/s and MNF from 92.6+/-10 Hz to 85.2+/-11 Hz) and during electrically evoked maximal M-wave (CV from…

Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery in maximal compared to explosive strength loading.

The purpose of this study was to examine acute neuromuscular fatigue and its recovery in men (n = 8) and women (n = 8). Two strenuous, but clearly different exercises were compared: maximal (MSL) versus explosive strength loading (ESL). The MSL included five sets of ten repetition maximum bilateral leg extensions. The same task and the same number of sets was performed in ESL but with 40% from the load used in MSL and performed as explosively as possible. Isometric force-time curves were measured during maximal voluntary bilateral isometric action of the leg extensors before the fatigue loading and after each set. The measurements were repeated after resting for 1 h, 2 h, 1 day and two days…

Ski jumping takeoff in a wind tunnel with skis.

The effect of skis on the force–time characteristics of the simulated ski jumping takeoff was examined in a wind tunnel. Takeoff forces were recorded with a force plate installed under the tunnel floor. Signals from the front and rear parts of the force plate were collected separately to examine the anteroposterior balance of the jumpers during the takeoff. Two ski jumpers performed simulated takeoffs, first without skis in nonwind conditions and in various wind conditions. Thereafter, the same experiments were repeated with skis. The jumpers were able to perform very natural takeoff actions (similar to the actual takeoff) with skis in wind tunnel. According to the subjective feeling of the…

Reaction time and electromyographic activity during a sprint start.

Eight male sprinters were filmed running three maximal starts over 3 m on a long force platform. The subjects were divided into two groups (n = 4) according to the leg on which the electromyograph (EMG) electrodes were fixed. When in the set position one group had electrodes on the front leg (FLG) and the other group on the rear leg (RLG). The EMG activities of the gastrocnemius caput laterale muscle (GA), vastus lateralis muscle (VL), biceps femoris caput longum muscle (BF), rectus femoris muscle (RF) and gluteus maximus muscle (GM) were recorded telemetrically using surface electrodes. Total reaction time (TRT) was defined as the time from the gun signal until a horizontal force was produ…

Hormonal adaptations and modelled responses in elite weightlifters during 6 weeks of training.

The concentrations of serum testosterone, sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were examined throughout 1-year of training in six elite weightlifters. A systems model, providing an estimation of fatigue and fitness, was applied to records of training volume and performance levels in clean and jerk. The analysis focused on a 6-week training period during which blood samples were taken at 2-week intervals. A 4-week period of intensive training (period I) could be distinguished from the following 2-week period of reduced training (period II). During period I, decreases in serum testosterone (P less than 0.05) and increases in serum LH concentrations (P less than 0.0…

Acute and prolonged reduction in joint stiffness in humans after exhausting stretch-shortening cycle exercise.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute and long-term fatigue effects of exhausting stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise on the stiffness of ankle and knee joints. Five subjects were fatigued on a sledge apparatus by 100 maximal rebound jumps followed by continuous submaximal jumping until complete exhaustion. Neuromuscular fatigue ef- fects were examined in submaximal hopping (HOP) and in maximal drop jumps (DJ) from 35 (DJ35) and 55 cm (DJ55) heights on a force plate. Additional force and reflex measurements were made using an ankle ergom- eter. Jumping tests and ankle ergometer tests were car- ried out before, immediately after, 2 h (2H), 2 days and 7 days (7D) after…

Plasma catecholamine responses to four resistance exercise tests in men and women

The plasma adrenaline ([A]) and noradrenaline ([NA]) concentration responses of nine men and eight women were investigated in four resistance exercise tests (E80, E60, E40 and E20), in which the subjects had to perform a maximal number of bilateral knee extension-flexion movements at a given cycle pace of 0.5 Hz, but at different load levels (80%, 60%, 40% and 20% of 1 repetition maximum, respectively). The four test sessions were separated by a minimal interval of 3 rest days. The number of repetitions (Repmax), the total work (Wtot) done normalized for the lean body mass and the heart rate (HR) responses were similar in the two groups in each test. In addition, no differences were found b…

Effects of prolonged walking on neural and mechanical components of stretch responses in the human soleus muscle

After repeated passive stretching, tendinous tissue compliance increases in the human soleus (SOL) muscle–tendon unit. During movement, such changes would have important consequences for neural and mechanical stretch responses. This study examined the existence of such effects in response to a 75 min walking intervention. Eleven healthy subjects walked on a treadmill at 4 km h−1 with a robotic stretch device attached to the left leg. Ultrasonography was used to measure SOL fascicle lengths, and surface EMG activity was recorded in the SOL and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Perturbations of 6 deg were imposed at three different measurement intervals: Pre (immediately before the walking inte…

Force-, power-, and elasticity-velocity relationships in walking, running, and jumping

Ground reaction forces and mechanical power were investigated when the subjects walked normally, while they were racing or running at four speeds, and when they performed the running long jump take-off. In addition, the apparent spring constants of the support leg in eccentric and concentric phases were investigated at the four running speeds, during the running long jump take-off, and in the triple jump. Six club level track and field athletes, four national level long jumpers, and six national level triple jumpers took part in the study. Cinematographic technique and a mathematical model of hopping (Alexander and Vernon 1975) were employed in the analysis. Force and power values were foun…

Contribution of the tendinous tissue to force enhancement during stretch–shortening cycle exercise depends on the prestretch and concentric phase intensities

When the prestretch intensity and concentric work are increased in stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises, the utilization of the elastic energy can increase during the concentric phase. In order to further understand this process during SSC exercises, the interaction between fascicle-tendinous tissues (TT) of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle was examined under different prestretch and rebound intensity drop jumps. Ten male subjects participated in the study. Direct VL fascicle lengths (N = 10) and in vivo patellar tendon force (N = 1) were measured together with the electromyographic (EMG) activity of VL during the trials. With increasing drop height but the same rebound height condition…

Neuromuscular changes after long-lasting mechanically and electrically elicited fatigue

Central fatigue was investigated under an isolated active condition whereby the possible effects of supraspinal fatigue were minimized. Therefore, ten subjects were fatigued by simultaneously and repeatedly mechanically stretching and electrically stimulating their calf muscles for 1 h. This was performed using an ankle ergometer. The active fatigue task included a total of 2400 muscle stretches with an intensity of 10% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). This protocol clearly impaired neuromuscular function, as revealed by a significant reduction in MVC (P < 0.01) and the neural input to the muscle (average EMG) (P < 0.01-0.001). The interpolated nerve stimulation compensated for t…

Knee and ankle joint stiffness in sprint running.

Stiffness has often been considered as a regulated property of the neuromuscular system. The purpose of this study was to examine the ankle and knee joint stiffness regulation during sprint running.Ten male sprinters ran at the constant relative speeds of 70, 80, 90, and 100% over a force platform, and ground reaction forces, kinematic, and EMG parameters were collected.The results indicated that with increasing running speed the average joint stiffness (change in joint moment divided by change in joint angle) was constant (7 N x m x deg(-1)) in the ankle joint and increased from 17 to 24 N x m x deg(-1) (P0.01) in the knee joint.The observed constant ankle joint stiffness may depend on (co…

Leg and joint stiffness in human hopping

The present study investigated the regulation of leg and joint stiffness in hopping at different intensity levels. Eight male subjects performed bilateral hopping at various intensity levels that were determined by peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF). In addition to the GRF, the measurements included hopping kinematics and electromyography (EMG) of selected leg muscles. While the leg and ankle joint stiffness remained invariant, the knee joint stiffness increased significantly (P<0.01) with the hopping intensity. EMG analysis revealed a significant increase in averaged EMG for all the measured muscles before and during the early phase of ground contact (P<0.05-0.001) with increasing h…

The Stretch-Shortening Cycle

Neuromuscular fatigue has traditionally been examined using isolated forms of either isometric, concentric or eccentric actions. However, none of these actions are naturally occurring in human (or animal) ground locomotion. The basic muscle function is defined as the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), where the preactivated muscle is first stretched (eccentric action) and then followed by the shortening (concentric) action. As the SSC taxes the skeletal muscles very strongly mechanically, its influence on the reflex activation becomes apparent and very different from the isolated forms of muscle actions mentioned above. The ground contact phases of running, jumping and hopping etc. are example…

Specific distribution of cross-sectional area in each hamstring muscle of sprint runners and relationship between those and sprint performance

Effects of power training on mechanical efficiency in jumping.

The present study investigates the effects of power training on mechanical efficiency (ME) in jumping. Twenty-three subjects, including ten controls, volunteered for the study. The experimental group trained twice a week for 15 weeks performing various jumping exercises such as drop jumps, hurdle jumps, hopping and bouncing. In the maximal jumping test, the take-off velocity increased from 2.56 (0.24) m.s(-1) to 2.77 (0.18) m.s(-1) ( P<0.05). In the submaximal jumping of 50% of the maximum, energy expenditure decreased from 660 (110) to 502 (68) J.kg(-1).min(-1) ( P<0.001) while, simultaneously, ME increased from 37.2 (8.4)% to 47.4 (8.2)% ( P<0.001). Some muscle enzyme activities of the ga…

Neuromuscular adaptations and serum hormones in females during prolonged power training.

Training-induced adaptations in the neuromuscular and endocrine systems were investigated in seven females during prolonged power type strength training. Great (p less than 0.05) changes occurred primarily during the earlier weeks of the 16-week training especially in the time of force production (from 161 +/- 107 to 93 +/- 65 ms to produce a 500 N force) and, correspondingly, in the average forces in the earlier positions of the (absolute) force-time curve of the leg extensor muscles. These changes were accompanied by significant (p less than 0.05) increases in the neural activation of the trained muscles in the earliest positions of the IEMG-time curve. Hypertrophic changes, as judged fro…

EMG power spectrum and features of the superimposed M-wave during voluntary eccentric and concentric actions at different activation levels.

Muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) may be affected by the level of voluntary activation and by the diameter of the fiber. Both the frequency component of the electromyography (EMG) power spectrum, such the as median frequency (MF) or mean power frequency, and the duration of muscle compound action potential to single supramaximal electrical impulse (maximal M-wave) may be related to CV. The aim of the present study was to examine how changes in the activation level in lengthening and in shortening conditions would affect the EMG power spectrum during voluntary effort, and compare them to changes in M-wave shape in similar conditions. Ten male subjects performed eccentric and concentric k…

Comparison of the men's and the women's pole vault at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games

The aim of this study was to identify differences between elite male and female pole vaulters in terms of their mechanical energy and angular momentum. The vaulter's total mechanical energy and angular momentum were calculated from the three-dimensional kinematic data of the pole vault finals at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The development of total, kinetic and potential energy showed similar characteristics for men and women. The initial energy of the vault, the energy at maximum pole bend position and the final energy were significantly higher for male athletes (P0.05), while the energy gain produced by the athletes during the vault showed no significant differences (male vaulters 5.88 …

Mechanical energy states during running.

Changes in total mechanical work and its partitioning into different energy states (kinetic, potential and rotational) during a step cycle of running were investigated on six well trained athletes who ran at the test speeds of 40, 60, 80, and 100% (9.3 +/- 0.3 m/s) of maximum. Cinematographic techniques were utilized to calculate the mechanical energy states as described by Norman et al. (1976), using a 13 segment mechanical model of a runner as the basis for the computations. The data showed that both the kinetic and rotational energy increased parabolically but the potential energy decreased linearly with increases in running velocity. The calculated power of the positive work phase incre…

Signal Characteristics of EMG with Special Reference to Reproducibility of Measurements

Reliability and constancy of recordings of EMG signal characteristics were investigated from the measurements taken with miniature size surface electrodes during submaximal and maximal contraction of the rectus femoris muscle. The following EMG variables were studied: integrated EMG (IEMG) various bandwidths of the power spectral density function, mean power frequency (MPF), and rise time, amplitude and number of spikes of the averaged motor unit potential (AMUP). The results indicated that for most of the variables studied the reproducibility of measurements was better within the test session (reliability) than between the different test days (constancy). The reliability values for IEMG, M…

Effect of intramedullary gradual elongation of the shorter limb on gait patterns

Background: Seven young patients were followed 52 weeks after intramedullary lengthening for limb length discrepancy (LLD). The mean LLD before surgery was 3.0 ± 1.1 cm and 1 year after surgery at the time of the nail-removal it was 0.3 ± 0.3 cm. Methods: The plantar pressures and the ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded simultaneously with electromyographic (EMG) activities at normal and fast walking speeds. Results: Bilateral comparison indicated that the uncorrected LLD resulted in asymmetrical gait patterns. The peak pressures were higher in the lateral heel and in the medial forefoot in the longer limb as compared to the shorter limb at normal walking speed. At fast walking speed…

Responses of serum androgenic-anabolic and catabolic hormones to prolonged strength training.

Endocrine and neuromuscular effects of prolonged strength training were investigated in 21 strength-trained male subjects during the course of a 24-week progressive strength training and during a subsequent detraining period of 12 weeks. Maximal isometric leg extensor force increased by 19% (P less than 0.001) during the first 20 weeks, followed by a plateau during the 4 latest weeks of training. During the course of the training period, no systematic change was found in serum testosterone concentrations, but there was a decreasing tendency in the concentrations of free testosterone (NS), 17-OH-progesterone (NS), androstenedione (P less than 0.05), dehydroepiandrosterone (P less than 0.05),…

Age-related neuromuscular function during drop jumps.

Muscle- and movement-specific fascicle-tendon interaction affects the performance of the neuromuscular system. This interaction is unknown among elderly and consequently contributes to the lack of understanding the age-related problems on neuromuscular control. The present experiment studied the age specificity of fascicle-tendon interaction of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle in drop jump (DJ) exercises. Twelve young and thirteen elderly subjects performed maximal squat jumps and DJs with maximal rebound effort on a sledge apparatus. Ankle and knee joint angles, reaction force, and electromyography (EMG) from the soleus (Sol), GM, and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were measured tog…

Molecular adaptations of voltage-gated sodium ion channel related proteins after fatiguing stretch-shortening cycle exercise

Dystrophin associated protein alpha-syntrophin is known to interact with voltage-gated sodium ion channel (NaCh). Dystrophin is known to be sensitive to eccentric muscle actions. For this reason, the function of the NaChs might also be affected. Molecular adaptations of dystrophin, alpha-syntrophin and NaChs were investigated after fatiguing stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise, which consisted of unilateral jumps on a sledge apparatus. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle of eight healthy subjects immediately after (IA) and 2 days after (2D) the exercise to analyze mRNA levels and immunohistochemical staining patterns. SSC exercise resulted in decreased isometric …

Muscle fascicle stretch velocity in relation to stretch reflex activation at different contraction levels in human triceps surae

Individual muscle contributions to the in vivo achilles tendon force

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the possibility of non-uniform stress within the achilles tendon due to individual force contributions of the triceps surae. DESIGN: Calculation of non-uniform stress through discrepancies in moments about the ankle joint. BACKGROUND: Non-uniform stress over the cross-sectional area have been implied in the etiology of achilles tendon injury and may influence functional aspects. However, this has not been empirically demonstrated. METHODS: In vivo achilles tendon forces were measured with an optic fibre technique during isometric plantarflexions at systematically varied knee angles and contraction intensities. A comparison to the plantar force measured underneath the…

A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping.

A simple test for the measurement of mechanical power during a vertical rebound jump series has been devised. The test consists of measuring the flight time with a digital timer (+/- 0.001 s) and counting the number of jumps performed during a certain period of time (e.g., 15-60 s). Formulae for calculation of mechanical power from the measured parameters were derived. The relationship between this mechanical power and a modification of the Wingate test (r = 0.87, n = 12 males) and 60 m dash (r = 0.84, n = 12 males) were very close. The mechanical power in a 60 s jumping test demonstrated higher values (20 W X kgBW-1) than the power in a modified (60 s) Wingate test (7 W X kgBW-1) and a Mar…

Effects of differently induced stretch loads on neuromuscular control in drop jump exercise

The neuromuscular characteristics of the triceps surae and vastus lateralis muscles and interactions between the pre-activation of these muscles and the muscle output itself during ground contact were investigated during various types of stretch-shortening cycle muscle loading. The loading of the muscles was effected by using three different types of drop jump exercise. These jumps allowed separate modifications of the loading of the leg extensor muscles by changing the velocity of the centre of gravity (CG) or by changing directly the body mass, which was also affected by changing artificially the acceleration of the CG. It was found that the eccentric peak angular velocity of the ankle jo…

Comparison of force-velocity relationships of vastus lateralis muscle in isokinetic and in stretch-shortening cycle exercises

Aim:  This study investigated the force–velocity characteristics of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle fascicle and muscle–tendon unit (MTU) in isolated lengthening and shortening actions, and during natural movement. Methods:  Four subjects performed maximal eccentric and concentric knee extensions (60, 120 and 180° s−1). Unilateral counter movement jumps and drop jumps in the sledge apparatus served as natural movements. Vastus lateralis fascicle lengths were determined from ultrasonography. In vivo patellar tendon forces (PTF) were measured with an optic fibre technique. Patellar tendon force was derived to VL force according to the cross-sectional area of the muscle. Force in the directio…

Neuromuscular responses to explosive and heavy resistance loading

The EMG power spectrum may shift towards higher frequencies with higher movement velocities. Fatigue, on the other hand, can cause a decrease in the frequency components. The purpose of this study was to examine acute effects of explosive (EE) and heavy resistance (HRE) concentric leg press exercise on muscle force, EMG and blood lactate. The EE included five sets of ten repetitions with 40+/-6% of the isometric maximum at a 100 degrees knee angle performed as explosively as possible. The same number of repetitions was performed in HRE but with a heavier load (67+/-7% of the isometric maximum at a 100 degrees knee angle). Maximal isometric and single concentric actions of different loads, a…

Voluntary activation and mechanical performance of human triceps surae muscle after exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle jumping exercise.

The purpose of this study was to examine neuromuscular factors that may contribute to post exercise force loss and subsequent recovery after exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise. Six subjects were fatigued on a sledge apparatus by 100 maximal rebound jumps followed by continuous submaximal jumping until complete exhaustion. Exercise-induced changes in neuromuscular performance were followed up to 7 days post exercise. The total number of jumps in the SSC exercise ranged from 336 to 1392. The SSC exercise induced a significant immediate plantarflexion torque decline of 29, 38 and 44% (P<0.05) in maximal voluntary contraction and evoked maximal twitch and low-frequency (LF) stim…

Economical running strategy for East African distance runners

The superior success of East-African endurance runners has stimulated a large amount of interest in exploring valid reasons for their performance, especially for neuromuscular mechanics. This review provides a brief overview of classic neuromuscular interaction during running; and, thereafter, describes a specific neuromuscular interaction alternative to the classic stretch-shortening cycle concept for enhancing the running economy of East-African distance runners.

Differences in mechanical efficiency between power- and endurance-trained athletes while jumping

Mechanical efficiency (ME) of jumping exercises was compared between power-trained (n = 11) and endurance-trained athletes (n = 10) using both a biomechanical and a physiological approach. In drop jumps and in stretch-shortening cycle exercise on a special sledge (sledge jumps), the subjects performed 60 muscle actions from a dropping height of optimum minus 40 cm (O − 40), as well as from dropping heights of optimum (O) and optimum plus 40 cm (O + 40). Thus, they were tested in six different tests which lasted for a total of 3 min for each. The mean ME values in the drop jumps from the lowest dropping height upwards were as follows: 23.8 (SD 5.3)%, 35.5 (SD 10.8)% and 39.2 (SD 6.6)% for th…