Search results for "muscle twitch"
showing 2 items of 2 documents
Neural Activation During Submaximal Contractions Seems More Reflective of Neuromuscular Ageing than Maximal Voluntary Activation
2016
International audience; This study aimed at testing the hypothesis that differences in neural activation strategy during submaximal but not maximal plantarflexions exist between young and older men. Eleven young men (YM, 26 +/- 4 years) and thirteen old men (OM, 76 +/- 3 years) volunteered for the investigation. Maximal voluntary torque (MVT) was 38.2%, lower (p < 0.001) in OM than in YM, while voluntary activation was equivalent (similar to 97%). The relationship between the interpolated twitch torque and the voluntary torque (IT-VT relationship) was composite (curvilinear + exponential) for both age-groups. However, the OM showed accentuated concavity, as attested by the occurrence of the…
Plantar flexor activation capacity and H reflex in older adults: adaptations to strength training.
2002
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the voluntary neural drive and the excitability of the reflex arc could be modulated by training, even in old age. To this aim, the effects of a 16-wk strengthening program on plantar flexor voluntary activation (VA) and on the maximum Hoffman reflex (Hmax)-to-maximum M wave (Mmax) ratio were investigated in 14 elderly men (65–80 yr). After training, isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) increased by 18% ( P < 0.05) and weight-lifting ability by 24% ( P < 0.001). Twitch contraction time decreased by 8% ( P < 0.01), but no changes in half relaxation time and in peak twitch torque were observed. The VA, assessed by twitch …