Search results for "Voluntary contraction"

2016

In humans, the amount of spinal homonymous recurrent inhibition during voluntary contraction is usually assessed by using a peripheral nerve stimulation paradigm. This method consists of conditioning the maximal M-wave (SM stimulus) with prior reflex stimulation (S1), with 10 ms inter-stimulus interval (ISI). The decrease observed between unconditioned (S1 only) and conditioned (S1+SM) reflex size is then attributed to recurrent inhibition. However, during a voluntary contraction, a superimposed SM stimulation leads to a maximal M-wave followed by a voluntary (V) wave at similar latency than the H-reflex. This wave can therefore interfere with the conditioned H-reflex when two different sti…

Neuromuscular responses to different resistance loading protocols using pneumatic and weight stack devices

2013

The purpose of this study was to examine single repetition characteristics and acute neuromuscular responses to typical hypertrophic (HL), maximal strength (MSL), and power (PL) loadings performed with two of the most common resistance modes; pneumatic and weight stack. Acute responses were assessed by measuring maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), corresponding quadriceps-EMG and resting and superimposed twitch torques. Activation level was calculated from the twitch torques. Decreases in MVC were greater during HL and MSL than during PL. During HL, resting twitch force decreased 8% (P < 0.05) more on the weight stack than on the pneumatic device. Furthermore, loading using the weight stac…

Effect of body composition on the neuromuscular function of Finnish conscripts during an 8-week basic training period.

2008

The dropout rate in the Finnish military service has increased during the past two decades. At the same time, the physical fitness level of young Finnish males has decreased, possibly leading to overtraining in new conscripts. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether body composition would influence neuromuscular function during the 8-week basic training (BT) period. Eighteen healthy male subjects (19 +/- 1 years) were divided into three different groups according to their body fat %. Group 1 (10%), group 2 (10-13%) and group 3 (13%). The soleus H-reflex response was measured in the standing position. In the seated position (knee 160 degrees and hip 110 degrees), the V-wave r…

Effects of joint angle and age on ankle dorsi- and plantar-flexor strength.

2007

This study aimed at examining the effects of joint angle and age on the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, for the agonist and antagonist muscle groups around the ankle, i.e., the dorsi- and plantar-flexors. To this aim, neural and muscular factors were investigated in two groups of healthy men: 11 young (mean age, 24 years) and 18 older (mean age, 78 years). Plantar-flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) isometric MVC torques were measured in three different ankle joint angles and surface electromyographic activities of the triceps surae and of the tibialis anterior muscles were recorded. The main findings were that the DF-to-PF MVC torque ratio varied with joint angle and age, indica…

Biceps brachii muscle oxygenation in electrical muscle stimulation

2010

The purpose of this study was to compare between electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and maximal voluntary (VOL) isometric contractions of the elbow flexors for changes in biceps brachii muscle oxygenation (tissue oxygenation index, TOI) and haemodynamics (total haemoglobin volume, tHb = oxygenated-Hb + deoxygenated-Hb) determined by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The biceps brachii muscle of 10 healthy men (23-39 years) was electrically stimulated at high frequency (75 Hz) via surface electrodes to evoke 50 intermittent (4-s contraction, 15-s relaxation) isometric contractions at maximum tolerated current level (EMS session). The contralateral arm performed 50 intermittent (4-s contrac…

Assessment of the reliability of central and peripheral fatigue after sustained maximal voluntary contraction of the quadriceps muscle

2007

The aim of the present study was to further confirm the validity of measurements for characterizing neuromuscular alterations by establishing their reliability both before and after fatigue. Thirteen men (28 5 years) volunteered to participate in two separate identical sessions requir- ing the performance of a sustained maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with the quadriceps muscle for 2 min. MVC and transcutaneous electrical stimulations were used before and immediately after the fatiguing contrac- tion to investigate the reliability of MVC torque, central activation, and peripheral variables (M-wave properties, peak twitch, peak doublet) within and between sessions. Based on previous and …

Neuromuscular fatigue induced by an isotonic heavy-resistance loading protocol in knee extensors.

2009

Abstract The main aim of this study was to assess neuromuscular fatigue during a typical high-load, low-repetition loading protocol. Muscle stimulations were used to assess maximum voluntary contraction, resting single- and double-pulse twitch characteristics, and superimposed double-pulse twitch force (used to calculate voluntary activation) before and after an acute knee extension loading protocol. In our participants, who had previous resistance training experience, the mean voluntary activation level was 96.2% in an unfatigued state. Maximum voluntary contraction (−11.8%), resting double-pulse twitch force (−10.6%), and voluntary activation (−2.1%) were markedly decreased as a consequen…

Neuromuscular fatigue following constant versus variable-intensity endurance cycling in triathletes

2008

International audience; The aim of this study was to determine whether variable power cycling produced greater neuromuscular fatigue of knee extensor muscles than constant power cycling at the same mean power output. Eight male triathletes (age : 33 ± 5 yr, mass : 74 ± 4 kg, OV&2max : 62 ± 5 ml.kg-1.min-1, maximal aerobic power : 392 ± 17 W) performed two 30 min trials on a cycle ergometer in a random order. Cycling exercise was performed either at a constant power output (CP) corresponding to 75% of the maximal aerobic power (MAP) or a variable power output (VP) with alternating ± 15%, ± 5%, and ± 10% of 75% MAP approximately every 5 min. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, maximal…

Alteration of Neuromuscular Function After a Prolonged Road Cycling Race

2003

The aim of this study was to characterize neuromuscular fatigue in knee extensor muscles after a prolonged cycling exercise. During the two days preceding a 140-km race (mean +/- SD duration: 278.2 +/- 24.9 min) and 15 to 30 min after, maximal percutaneous electrical stimulations were applied to the femoral nerve of 11 trained cyclists. Electrically evoked superimposed twitches and trains of 6 stimulations were delivered during isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) to determine maximal voluntary activation (% VA). Knee extensors MVC decreased with fatigue from 158.2 +/- 29.6 to 144.2 +/- 30.0 Nm (p < 0.01), but no central activation failure was detected after the race. The average r…

Central and Peripheral Contributions to Fatigue after Electrostimulation Training

2006

Purpose: We examined the effect of 4 (WK4) and 8 wk (WK8) of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training on both endurance time and mechanisms contributing to task failure. Methods: Ten males performed a fatiguing isometric contraction with the knee extensor muscles at 20% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) until exhaustion before (B), at WK4, and at WK8 of NMES training. The electromyographic (EMG) activity and muscle activation obtained under MVC were recorded before and after the fatiguing task to assess central fatigue. Torque and EMG responses obtained under electrically evoked contractions were examined before and after the fatiguing task to analyze peripheral fatigue. Re…