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Related Experiment Videos

Fatigue effects on muscle excitability

T Hortobágyi1, J Tracy, G Hamilton

  • 1Biomechanics Laboratory, East Carolina University, Greenville, USA.

International Journal of Sports Medicine
|August 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Muscle excitability may explain preserved force during eccentric contractions, unlike shortening ones. This study investigated muscle action potentials during various exercises, finding increased excitability common to all, but with distinct patterns.

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Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Neuromuscular Function
  • Skeletal Muscle Biology

Background:

  • Skeletal muscle fatigue typically occurs with isometric or shortening (concentric) contractions.
  • Prior research suggests an absence of fatigue during lengthening (eccentric) contractions.
  • Muscle excitability is hypothesized to play a role in force maintenance during eccentric actions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that muscle excitability aids force preservation during repeated eccentric contractions.
  • To examine changes in soleus muscle action potential characteristics during different exercise types.

Main Methods:

  • 12 healthy subjects performed isometric, concentric, and eccentric plantar flexion exercises.
  • Soleus compound muscle action potential (M-wave) parameters (latency, amplitude, duration, area) were measured.

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  • Measurements were taken at baseline, during exercise, and during 10-minute recovery using tibial nerve stimulation.

    • Main Results:

    • Eccentric contractions showed a +2% change in force, contrasting with -32% (concentric) and -41% (isometric).
    • Peak-to-peak amplitude (PPA) of the M-wave increased during isometric and eccentric exercise.
    • M-wave area increased significantly across all exercise types, returning to baseline by 8 minutes post-exercise.

    Conclusions:

    • Potentiation of individual muscle fiber action potentials appears to be a common mechanism for increased muscle excitability during plantar flexion.
    • While increased excitability is a non-specific response, different underlying factors may contribute to it across exercise types.
    • The findings suggest that enhanced muscle excitability contributes to force maintenance during eccentric contractions.