scholarly journals Behaviour of Motor Units during Submaximal Isometric Contractions in Chronically Strength-Trained individuals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Casolo ◽  
Alessandro Del Vecchio ◽  
Thomas Grant Balshaw ◽  
Sumiaki Maeo ◽  
Marcel Bahia Lanza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neural Input

Neural and morphological adaptations combine to underpin the enhanced muscle strength following prolonged exposure to strength training, although their relative importance remains unclear. We investigated the contribution of motor unit (MU) behaviour and muscle size to submaximal force production in chronically strength-trained athletes (ST) vs. untrained controls (UT). Sixteen ST (age, 22.9±3.5 yr; training experience, 5.9±3.5 yr) and fourteen UT (age, 20.4±2.3 yr) performed maximal voluntary isometric force (MViF) and ramp contractions (at 15, 35, 50, 70%MViF) with elbow flexors, whilst high-density surface EMG (HDsEMG) was recorded from the biceps brachii (BB). Recruitment thresholds (RT) and discharge rates (DR) of MUs identified from the submaximal contractions were assessed. The neural drive-to-muscle gain was estimated from the relation between changes in force (ΔFORCE, i.e. muscle output) relative to changes in MU DR (ΔDR, i.e. neural input). BB maximum anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSAMAX) was also assessed by MRI. MViF (+64.8% vs. UT, P<0.001) and BB ACSAMAX (+71.9%, P<0.001) were higher in ST. Absolute MU RT was higher in ST (+62.6%, P<0.001), but occurred at similar normalized forces. MU DR did not differ between groups at the same normalized forces. The absolute slope of the ΔFORCE-ΔDR relationship was higher in ST (+66.9%, P=0.002), whereas it did not differ for normalized values. We observed similar MU behaviour between ST athletes and UT controls. The greater absolute force-generating capacity of ST for the same neural input, demonstrates that morphological, rather than neural, factors are the predominant mechanism for their enhanced force generation during submaximal efforts.

scholarly journals Motor unit recruitment strategies investigated by surface EMG variables

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Farina ◽  
Mauro Fosci ◽  
Roberto Merletti
Keyword(s):  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Size Principle ◽  
Constant Torque ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
Power Spectral ◽  
The Central Nervous System

During isometric contractions of increasing strength, motor units (MUs) are recruited by the central nervous system in an orderly manner starting with the smallest, with muscle fibers that usually show the lowest conduction velocity (CV). Theory predicts that the higher the velocity of propagation of the action potential, the higher the power at high frequencies of the detected surface signal. These considerations suggest that the power spectral density of the surface detected electromyogram (EMG) signal may give indications about the MU recruitment process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential and limitations of spectral analysis of the surface EMG signal as a technique for the investigation of muscle force control. The study is based on a simulation approach and on an experimental investigation of the properties of surface EMG signals detected from the biceps brachii during isometric linearly increasing torque contractions. Both simulation and experimental data indicate that volume conductor properties play an important role as confounding factors that may mask any relation between EMG spectral variables and estimated CV as a size principle parameter during ramp contractions. The correlation between spectral variables and CV is thus significantly lower when the MU pool is not stable than during constant-torque isometric contractions. Our results do not support the establishment of a general relationship between spectral EMG variables and torque or recruitment strategy.

Effects Of Training Experience On The Relationship Between Muscle Mass And Isometric Force Production

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S186
Author(s):  
Michael Hartman ◽  
Genevieve Stolt ◽  
Debra A. Bemben ◽  
Randa L. Shehab ◽  
Michael G. Bemben
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Isometric Force Production ◽  
The Relationship

Muscle fiber number in biceps brachii in bodybuilders and control subjects

1984 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1399-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. MacDougall ◽  
D. G. Sale ◽  
S. E. Alway ◽  
J. R. Sutton
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fiber ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trained Subjects ◽  
Fiber Area ◽  
Muscle Cross Sectional Area

Muscle fiber numbers were estimated in vivo in biceps brachii in 5 elite male bodybuilders, 7 intermediate caliber bodybuilders, and 13 age-matched controls. Mean fiber area and collagen volume density were calculated from needle biopsies and muscle cross-sectional area by computerized tomographic scanning. Contralateral measurements in a subsample of seven subjects indicated the method for estimation of fiber numbers to have adequate reliability. There was a wide interindividual range for fiber numbers in biceps (172,085–418,884), but despite large differences in muscle size both bodybuilder groups possessed the same number of muscle fibers as the group of untrained controls. Although there was a high correlation between average cross-sectional fiber area and total muscle cross-sectional area within each group, many of the subjects with the largest muscles also tended to have a large number of fibers. Since there were equally well-trained subjects with fewer than normal fiber numbers, we interpret this finding to be due to genetic endowment rather than to training-induced hyperplasia. The proportion of muscle comprised of connective and other noncontractile tissue was the same for all subjects (approximately 13%), thus indicating greater absolute amounts of connective tissue in the trained subjects. We conclude that in humans, heavy resistance training directed toward achieving maximum size in skeletal muscle does not result in an increase in fiber numbers.

scholarly journals Decreased specific force and power production of muscle fibers from myostatin-deficient mice are associated with a suppression of protein degradation

2011 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Mendias ◽  
Erdan Kayupov ◽  
Joshua R. Bradley ◽  
Susan V. Brooks ◽  
Dennis R. Claflin
Keyword(s):  
Myosin Heavy Chain ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Extensor Digitorum Longus ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maximum Isometric Force

Myostatin ( MSTN) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily of cytokines and is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Compared with MSTN+/+ mice, the extensor digitorum longus muscles of MSTN−/− mice exhibit hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and greater maximum isometric force production (Fo), but decreased specific maximum isometric force (sFo; Fo normalized by muscle cross-sectional area). The reason for the reduction in sFo was not known. Studies in myotubes indicate that inhibiting myostatin may increase muscle mass by decreasing the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase atrogin-1, which could impact the force-generating capacity and size of muscle fibers. To gain a greater understanding of the influence of myostatin on muscle contractility, we determined the impact of myostatin deficiency on the contractility of permeabilized muscle fibers and on the levels of atrogin-1 and ubiquitinated myosin heavy chain in whole muscle. We hypothesized that single fibers from MSTN−/− mice have a greater Fo, but no difference in sFo, and a decrease in atrogin-1 and ubiquitin-tagged myosin heavy chain levels. The results indicated that fibers from MSTN−/− mice have a greater cross-sectional area, but do not have a greater Fo and have a sFo that is significantly lower than fibers from MSTN+/+ mice. The extensor digitorum longus muscles from MSTN−/− mice also have reduced levels of atrogin-1 and ubiquitinated myosin heavy chain. These findings suggest that myostatin inhibition in otherwise healthy muscle increases the size of muscle fibers and decreases atrogin-1 levels, but does not increase the force production of individual muscle fibers.

Mechanical deficit persists during long-term muscle hypertrophy

1990 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Kandarian ◽  
T. P. White
Keyword(s):  
Isometric Force ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Plantaris Muscle ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Value ◽  
Muscle Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Synergistic Muscle

Hypotheses were tested that the deficit in maximum isometric force normalized to muscle cross-sectional area (i.e., specific Po, N/cm2) of hypertrophied muscle would return to control value with time and that the rate and magnitude of adaptation of specific force would not differ between soleus and plantaris muscles. Ablation operations of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles or the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were done to induce hypertrophy of synergistic muscle left intact in female Wistar rats (n = 47) at 5 wk of age. The hypertrophied soleus and plantaris muscles and control muscles from other age-matched rats (n = 22) were studied from days 30 to 240 thereafter. Po was measured in vitro at 25 degrees C in oxygenated Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate. Compared with control values, soleus muscle cross-sectional area increased 41-15% from days 30 to 240 after ablation, whereas Po increased 11 and 15% only at days 60 and 90. Compared with control values, plantaris muscle cross-sectional area increased 52% at day 30, 40% from days 60 through 120, and 15% at day 240. Plantaris muscle Po increased 25% from days 30 to 120 but at day 240 was not different from control value. Changes in muscle architecture were negligible after ablation in both muscles. Specific Po was depressed from 11 to 28% for both muscles at all times. At no time after the ablation of synergistic muscle did the increased muscle cross-sectional area contribute fully to isometric force production.

scholarly journals The Influence of Sonographer Experience on Skeletal Muscle Image Acquisition and Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Joshua C. Carr ◽  
Gena R. Gerstner ◽  
Caleb C. Voskuil ◽  
Joel E. Harden ◽  
Dustin Dunnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Image Acquisition ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional

The amount of experience with ultrasonography may influence measurement outcomes while images are acquired or analyzed. The purpose of this study was to identify the interrater reliability of ultrasound image acquisition and image analysis between experienced and novice sonographers and image analysts, respectively. Following a brief hands-on training session (2 h), the experienced and novice sonographers and analysts independently performed image acquisition and analyses on the biceps brachii, vastus lateralis, and medial gastrocnemius in a sample of healthy participants (n = 17). Test–retest reliability statistics were computed for muscle thickness (transverse and sagittal planes), muscle cross-sectional area, echo intensity and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. The results show that image analysis experience generally has a greater impact on measurement outcomes than image acquisition experience. Interrater reliability for measurements of muscle size during image acquisition was generally good–excellent (ICC2,1: 0.82–0.98), but poor–moderate for echo intensity (ICC2,1: 0.43–0.77). For image analyses, interrater reliability for measurements of muscle size for the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii was poor–moderate (ICC2,1: 0.48–0.70), but excellent for echo intensity (ICC2,1: 0.90–0.98). Our findings have important implications for laboratories and clinics where members possess varying levels of ultrasound experience.

Recovery of muscle transfers replacing the total plantar flexor muscle group in rats

1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1865-1871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie W. Miller ◽  
Cheryl A. Hassett ◽  
John A. Faulkner
Keyword(s):  
Isometric Force ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Average Force ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Control ◽  
Control Value ◽  
Muscle Transfers ◽  
Synergistic Muscles

In rats, combinations of plantar flexor muscles representing ∼20, 40, 60, and 80% of the mass of the total plantar flexor group were transferred orthotopically in the absence of synergistic muscles and allowed to recover for 120 days. We hypothesized that, compared with their individual control values for structural and functional variables, the transfers would display a hierarchical array of deficits, proportional to their initial mass and, consequently, inversely proportional to the relative load on the transfers. Surprisingly, compared with their individual control values, each muscle transfer displayed deficits of 30–40% in muscle mass, total fiber cross-sectional area, and maximum isometric force, with the exception of the smallest transfer, the plantaris (PLN) muscle, which recovered 100% of its control value for each of these variables. Therefore, except for the PLN transfer, the muscle transfers studied displayed deficits similar in magnitude to those reported for muscles transferred in the presence of synergistic muscles. The greater recovery of the PLN transfer was attributed to the relatively large requirement for force production imposed on this transfer due to the average force requirements of the total plantar flexor group.

ACTN3 genotype is associated with increases in muscle strength in response to resistance training in women

2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla M. Clarkson ◽  
Joseph M. Devaney ◽  
Heather Gordish-Dressman ◽  
Paul D. Thompson ◽  
Monica J. Hubal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Elbow Flexor ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
P Value ◽  
Ratio Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Resistance Training Program

The α-actinin 3 (ACTN3) gene encodes a protein of the Z disk of myofibers, and a polymorphism of ACTN3 results in complete loss of the protein. The ACTN3 genotype (R577X) has been found to be associated with performance in Australian elite athletes (Yang N, MacArthur DG, Gulbin JP, Hahn AG, Beggs AH, Easteal S, and North K. Am J Hum Genet 73: 627–631, 2003). We studied associations between ACTN3 genotype and muscle size [cross-sectional area of the biceps brachii via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] and elbow flexor isometric (MVC) and dynamic [1-repetition maximum (1-RM)] strength in a large group of men ( N = 247) and women ( N = 355) enrolled in a 12-wk standardized elbow flexor/extensor resistance training program of the nondominant arm at one of eight study centers. We found no association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and muscle phenotype in men. However, women homozygous for the ACTN3 577X allele (XX) had lower baseline MVC compared with heterozygotes ( P < 0.05) when adjusted for body mass and age. Women homozygous for the mutant allele (577X) demonstrated greater absolute and relative 1-RM gains compared with the homozygous wild type (RR) after resistance training when adjusted for body mass and age ( P < 0.05). There was a trend for a dose-response with genotype such that gains were greatest for XX and least for RR. Significant associations were validated in at least one ethnic subpopulation (Caucasians, Asians) and were independent of training volume. About 2% of baseline MVC and of 1-RM strength gain after training were attributable to ACTN3 genotype (likelihood-ratio test P value, P = 0.01), suggesting that ACTN3 is one of many genes contributing to genetic variation in muscle performance and adaptation to exercise.

scholarly journals Specific force of the vastus lateralis in adults with achondroplasia

2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 696-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Sims ◽  
Gladys L. Onambélé-Pearson ◽  
Adrian Burden ◽  
Carl Payton ◽  
Christopher I. Morse
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Limb Length ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Specific Force ◽  
Moment Arm ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Volume Activation

Achondroplasia is a clinical condition defined by shorter stature and disproportionate limb length. Force production in able-bodied individuals (controls) is proportional to muscle size, but given the disproportionate nature of achondroplasia, normalizing to anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) is inappropriate. The aim of this study was to assess specific force of the vastus lateralis (VL) in 10 adults with achondroplasia (22 ± 3 yr) and 18 sex-matched controls (22 ± 2 yr). Isometric torque (iMVCτ) of the dominant knee extensors (KE) and in vivo measures of VL muscle architecture, volume, activation, and patella tendon moment arm were used to calculate VL physiological CSA (PCSA), fascicle force, and specific force in both groups. Achondroplasic muscle volume was 53% smaller than controls (284 ± 36 vs. 604 ± 102 cm3, P < 0.001). KE iMVCτ was 63% lower in achondroplasia compared with controls (95 ± 24 vs. 256 ± 47 N⋅m, P < 0.001). Activation and moment arm length were similar between groups ( P > 0.05), but coactivation of bicep femoris of achondroplasic subjects was 70% more than controls (43 ± 20 vs. 13 ± 5%, P < 0.001). Achondroplasic subjects had 58% less PCSA (43 ± 10 vs. 74.7 ± 14 cm2, P < 0.001), 29% lower fascicle force (702 ± 235 vs. 1704 ± 303 N, P < 0.001), and 29% lower specific force than control subjects (17 ± 6 vs. 24 ± 6 N⋅cm−2, P = 0.012). The smaller VL specific force in achondroplasia may be attributed to infiltration of fat and connective tissue, rather than to any difference in myofilament function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The novel observation of this study was the measurement of normalized force production in a group of individuals with disproportionate limb length-to-torso ratios.

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