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Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
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Does a mental training session induce neuromuscular fatigue?

Vianney Rozand1, Florent Lebon, Charalambos Papaxanthis

  • 1INSERM U1093, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Burgundy, Dijon, FRANCE.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|March 7, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mental training with maximal imagined contractions (MIC) does not cause neuromuscular fatigue. Combining mental and physical training does not increase fatigue, suggesting motor imagery can enhance training load.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sports Science
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Physical training, like maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), causes neuromuscular fatigue.
  • The impact of maximal imagined contractions (MIC) on neuromuscular fatigue is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate neuromuscular changes after mental training (MIC), physical training (MVC), and combined training (MIC+MVC) of elbow flexor muscles.

Main Methods:

  • Ten participants underwent three sessions: 80 MIC, 80 MVC, or 80 MVC + 80 MIC.
  • Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, central activation ratio (CARc), and corticospinal excitability were measured.

Main Results:

  • Both physical and combined training reduced MVC torque by ~40% and CARc by ~10%.
  • Maximal imagined contractions (MIC) alone did not decrease force production or alter CARc.
  • Corticospinal excitability increased during MIC, confirming imagined movement.

Conclusions:

  • Mental training alone or combined with physical training does not induce additional neuromuscular fatigue.
  • Motor imagery can be integrated into physical practice to increase workload without exacerbating fatigue.