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Electrical and mechanical changes in immobilized human muscle.

J Duchateau, K Hainaut

    Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
    |June 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary

    Thumb immobilization after forearm fracture significantly weakens muscles. Immobilized adductor pollicis muscles showed reduced voluntary and tetanic contractions, indicating impaired muscle function and altered neural control.

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    Area of Science:

    • Physiology
    • Neuromuscular Function
    • Rehabilitation Science

    Background:

    • Forearm fractures often necessitate immobilization, potentially leading to muscle dysfunction.
    • Understanding the effects of immobilization on specific muscles like the adductor pollicis is crucial for effective rehabilitation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of 6-week thumb immobilization on the contractile properties of the adductor pollicis muscle.
    • To compare changes in the immobilized thumb muscle with the contralateral, unrestrained muscle.

    Main Methods:

    • Eight subjects with forearm fractures underwent unilateral thumb immobilization in a plaster cast for 6 weeks.
    • Maximal voluntary contraction and electrically evoked maximal tetanic contraction (Po) were measured.
    • Muscle surface action potentials and mechanical properties (tension development and relaxation rates, twitch characteristics) were analyzed.

    Main Results:

    • Maximal voluntary contraction decreased by 55% and maximal tetanic contraction (Po) by 33% after immobilization.
    • Maximal rate of tension development increased by 10%, while relaxation rate decreased by 22%.
    • Muscle action potential duration increased by 19%, with decreased amplitude and area, suggesting altered neural signaling.

    Conclusions:

    • Thumb immobilization leads to significant reductions in both voluntary and evoked muscle contractions.
    • Changes in muscle action potentials suggest alterations in both peripheral contractile mechanisms and central/neural command.
    • Intracellular processes are proposed as the primary contributors to contractile impairment during immobilization.

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