Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
09:48
Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention
Published on: September 11, 2017
Catchlike property in human adductor pollicis muscle
Rafael Fortuna1, Marco Aurélio Vaz, Walter Herzog
1Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
Summary
The catchlike property enhances skeletal muscle force when an extra pulse is added to stimulation. This muscle force increase is dependent on muscle length, not potentiation or cross-bridge changes.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Muscle Physiology
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- The "catchlike" property describes a rapid force increase in skeletal muscles upon adding a pulse to stimulation.
- Observed across various preparations, its underlying mechanism remains elusive.
- This phenomenon is an intrinsic muscle fiber characteristic, independent of motor unit recruitment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the catchlike property in human adductor pollicis.
- To elucidate the origins of this force enhancement phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Human thumb adduction forces were measured via ulnar nerve stimulation.
- Reference trains (RTs) and experimental trains (ETs) with an extra pulse were compared.
- Muscle stiffness and potentiation were quantified at varying muscle lengths and stimulation intensities.
Main Results:
- Experimental trains (ETs) produced significantly higher forces and faster rates of force increase than reference trains (RTs).
- The catchlike effect was more pronounced at shorter muscle lengths.
- No significant differences in force enhancement were observed across different stimulation intensities.
- Muscle potentiation and stiffness remained consistent across tested conditions.
Conclusions:
- The catchlike property's force enhancement is not attributed to increased cross-bridge attachment or muscle potentiation.
- The phenomenon is muscle length-dependent.
- It is present in both slow and fast-twitch motor units, suggesting a common underlying mechanism.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers
The muscles of the forearm that move the wrist, hand, and digits are numerous and diverse. They can be classified into two groups based on their location and function — the anterior and posterior compartment muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi radialis,...
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi radialis,...
01:16Muscles that Move the Forearm
The muscles that move the forearms can be divided into four groups: forearm flexors, forearm extensors, forearm pronators, and forearm supinators. The flexors and extensors act on the elbow joint, while the pronators and supinators act on the radioulnar joints.
Forearm Flexors
The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are forearm flexors. The biceps brachii is made up of two heads. Its long head originates at the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, whereas that of the short head is...
Forearm Flexors
The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are forearm flexors. The biceps brachii is made up of two heads. Its long head originates at the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, whereas that of the short head is...
01:10Muscle Contraction
In skeletal muscles, acetylcholine is released by nerve terminals at the motor endplate—the point of synaptic communication between motor neurons and muscle fibers. The binding of acetylcholine to its receptors on the sarcolemma allows entry of sodium ions into the cell and triggers an action potential in the muscle cell. Thus, electrical signals from the brain are transmitted to the muscle. Subsequently, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine to prevent excessive muscle...
01:15Muscle Contraction
01:20Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscles
Excitation-contraction coupling is a series of events that occur between generating an action potential and initiating a muscle contraction. It occurs at the triad, a structure found in skeletal muscle fibers that comprise a T-tubule and terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum on each side. These triads are visible in longitudinally sectioned muscle fibers. They are typically located at the A-I junction — the junction between the A and I bands of the sarcomere.
When an action potential...
When an action potential...
01:28Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
The human leg comprises an intricate system of muscles that facilitate the movement of feet and toes. Within this system, the muscles are categorized into the anterior, lateral, and posterior compartments, each with a unique set of muscles carrying out specific functions.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.