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A Murine Model of Muscle Training by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Published on: May 9, 2012
Postactivation potentiation and muscular endurance training
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, 1 University Station, D3700, 222 Bellmont, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
Muscle & Nerve
|February 16, 2012
Summary
Muscle force potentiation, enhanced by voluntary conditioning contractions (CC), improved after endurance training. This potentiation may help prolong muscular endurance.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Muscle Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Voluntary conditioning contractions (CC) can potentiate muscle force.
- Understanding CC intensity and duration effects on potentiation is crucial.
- The impact of endurance training on muscle potentiation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate muscle twitch force potentiation following CCs of varying intensities.
- To determine the CC duration for maximal potentiation before and after endurance training.
- To examine the relationship between muscle potentiation and muscular endurance.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen healthy adults performed CCs at 25%, 50%, and 100% maximal voluntary contraction.
- Electrically evoked twitches measured potentiation after CCs.
- Participants underwent an 8-week endurance training program including a fatigue task.
Main Results:
- Endurance time significantly increased by 79.8% posttraining.
- Muscle potentiation was observed at all CC intensities and was amplified after training.
- Shorter CC durations were needed for maximal potentiation at higher CC intensities.
- Potentiation during a fatigue task was greater posttraining and correlated with endurance time.
Conclusions:
- Increased muscle force potentiation may be a key mechanism for enhancing muscular endurance.
- Endurance training potentiates the effects of voluntary conditioning contractions.
- Muscle potentiation is linked to improved performance in endurance tasks.
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