Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
12:39
Maximum Isometric Tetanic Force Measurement of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle in the Rat
Published on: June 26, 2021
5.3K
The effects of local muscle temperature on force variability
Matthew M Mallette1, Lara A Green1, Gary J Hodges1
1Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|March 7, 2019
Summary
Forearm muscle warming and cooling did not affect force variability in a wrist flexion task. Maintaining proprioception, even with altered muscle temperature, preserved performance. This suggests muscle temperature alone does not significantly impact force control.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Biomechanics
- Muscle physiology
Background:
- Environmental temperature influences force variability.
- The specific roles of muscle temperature and proprioception in this effect are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of forearm muscle warming and cooling on force variability during a controlled isometric force tracking task.
- To differentiate the effects of altered muscle temperature from changes in proprioception.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed isometric wrist flexion contractions at varying force levels (0-30% maximal) under thermoneutral, warm, and cold forearm conditions.
- Muscle temperature was manipulated using a circulating water sleeve (13°C to 44°C).
- Contractile properties and electromyography were measured to confirm temperature changes and assess muscle activation.
Main Results:
- Thermal manipulations successfully altered forearm muscle temperature, confirmed by changes in twitch half-relaxation time and electromyography.
- Despite significant changes in muscle contractile properties, force variability (root-mean-square error, variance ratio, coefficient of variation) remained unaffected.
- Muscle temperature changes did not consistently alter the force output during staircase contractions.
Conclusions:
- Forearm muscle temperature variations do not significantly affect the ability to perform isometric force tasks when proprioception is maintained.
- The study suggests that proprioception in the wrist and hand plays a crucial role in maintaining force control.
- Modest alterations in forearm muscle temperature are unlikely to impact force variability if hand and wrist proprioception remain intact.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Work and Energy for Variable Forces
5.8K
When an object is acted upon by a variable force, the amount of work done and the change in energy of the object can be more complex to calculate compared to when a constant force is applied. Work is the product of force and displacement, while energy is the capacity of a system to do work. When a constant force is applied to an object, the work done can be calculated as the product of the force and the distance moved in the direction of the force. However, when a variable force is applied, the...
5.8K
02:11Effects of Temperature on Free Energy
28.2K
The spontaneity of a process depends upon the temperature of the system. Phase transitions, for example, will proceed spontaneously in one direction or the other depending upon the temperature of the substance in question. Likewise, some chemical reactions can also exhibit temperature-dependent spontaneities. To illustrate this concept, the equation relating free energy change to the enthalpy and entropy changes for the process is considered:
28.2K
01:27Atomic Spectroscopy: Effects of Temperature
894
Atomization, converting samples into gas-phase atoms and ions, is essential for atomic spectroscopy. The flame temperature required for atomization affects the efficiency of the atomic spectroscopic methods by increasing the atomization efficiency and the relative population of the excited and ground states.
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...
894
01:15¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Variable-Temperature NMR
1.7K
The axial and equatorial protons in cyclohexane can be distinguished by performing a variable-temperature NMR experiment. In this process, except for one proton, the remaining eleven protons are replaced by deuterium. The deuterium substitution avoids the possible peak splitting caused by the spin-spin coupling between the adjacent protons. The remaining proton flips between the axial and equatorial positions.
1.7K
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
795
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
795
01:21Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
805
Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
Unlike...
805