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Badr L, Gagné-Pelletier L, Massé-Alarie H, Mercier C. Effect of Phasic Experimental Pain Applied during Motor Preparation or Execution on Motor Performance and Adaptation in a Reaching Task: A Randomized Trial. Brain Sci 2024; 14:851. [PMID: 39335347 PMCID: PMC11430375 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14090851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Musculoskeletal conditions often involve pain related to specific movements. However, most studies on the impact of experimental pain on motor performance and learning have used tonic pain models. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of experimental phasic pain during the preparation or execution of a reaching task on the acquisition and retention of sensorimotor adaptation. Participants were divided into three groups: no pain, pain during motor preparation, and pain during motor execution. Pain was induced over the scapula with a laser while participants performed a force field adaptation task over two days. To assess the effect of pain on motor performance, two baseline conditions (with or without pain) involving unperturbed pointing movements were also conducted. The results indicated that the timing of the nociceptive stimulus differently affected baseline movement performance. Pain during motor preparation shortened reaction time, while pain during movement execution decreased task performance. However, when these baseline effects were accounted for, no impact of pain on motor adaptation or retention was observed. All groups showed significant improvements in all motor variables for both adaptation and retention. In conclusion, while acute phasic pain during motor preparation or execution can affect the movement itself, it does not interfere with motor acquisition or retention during a motor adaptation task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laïla Badr
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Léandre Gagné-Pelletier
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Hugo Massé-Alarie
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Catherine Mercier
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Dalton B, Hester G, Alesi M, McDougle J, Cooper M, VanDusseldorp T, Buresh R, Feito Y. Central and peripheral neuromuscular fatigue following ramp and rapid maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1434473. [PMID: 39229620 PMCID: PMC11368765 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1434473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) as a fatiguing modality have been widely studied, but little attention has been given to the influence of the rate of torque development. Given the established differences in motor command and neuromuscular activation between ramp and rapid MIVCs, it is likely performance fatigue differs as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms. Purpose To compare responses for rapid and maximal torque following ramp and rapid MVICs, and the corresponding neuromuscular and corticospinal alterations. Methods On separate visits, twelve healthy males (22.8 ± 2.5 years) performed fatiguing intermittent MVICs of the knee extensors with either 2 s (RAMP) or explosive (RAPID) ramp-ups until a 50% reduction in peak torque was achieved. Before and after each condition, maximal and rapid torque measures were determined from an MVIC. Additionally, peripheral (twitch parameters) and central (voluntary activation) fatigue, as well as rapid muscle activation, and cortical-evoked twitch and electromyographic responses were recorded. Results Maximal and late-phase rapid torque measures (p ≤ 0.001;η p 2 = 0.635-0.904) were reduced similarly, but early rapid torque capacity (0-50 ms) (p = 0.003; d = 1.11 vs. p = 0.054; d = 0.62) and rapid muscle activation (p = 0.008; d = 1.07 vs. p = 0.875; d = 0.06) decreased more after RAMP. Changes in peripheral fatigue, as indicated by singlet and doublet contractile parameters (p < 0.001 for all;η p 2 = 0.752-0.859), and nerve-evoked voluntary activation (p < 0.001;η p 2 = 0.660) were similar between conditions. Corticospinal inhibition (via silent period) was only increased after RAPID (p = 0.007; d = 0.94 vs. p = 0.753; d = 0.09), whereas corticospinal voluntary activation and excitability were unchanged. Conclusion Ramp, fatiguing MVICs impaired early rapid torque capacity more than rapid MVICs, and this was accompanied by decrements in rapid muscle activation. Responses for peripheral and central fatigue (nerve and cortical stimulation) were largely similar between conditions, except that rapid MVICs increased corticospinal inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Dalton
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Garrett Hester
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Michaela Alesi
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Jacob McDougle
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Michael Cooper
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | | | - Robert Buresh
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Yuri Feito
- dNea Onnim Consultancy, StAugustine, FL, United States
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Akalu Y, Tallent J, Frazer AK, Siddique U, Rostami M, Vallance P, Howatson G, Walker S, Kidgell DJ. Strength-trained adults demonstrate greater corticoreticular activation versus untrained controls. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2336-2352. [PMID: 38419404 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The rapid increase in strength following strength-training involves neural adaptations, however, their specific localisation remains elusive. Prior focus on corticospinal responses prompts this study to explore the understudied cortical/subcortical adaptations, particularly cortico-reticulospinal tract responses, comparing healthy strength-trained adults to untrained peers. Fifteen chronically strength-trained individuals (≥2 years of training, mean age: 24 ± 7 years) were compared with 11 age-matched untrained participants (mean age: 26 ± 8 years). Assessments included maximal voluntary force (MVF), corticospinal excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), spinal excitability (cervicomedullary stimulation), voluntary activation (VA) and reticulospinal tract (RST) excitability, utilizing StartReact responses and ipsilateral motor-evoked potentials (iMEPs) for the flexor carpi radialis muscle. Trained participants had higher normalized MVF (6.4 ± 1.1 N/kg) than the untrained participants (4.8 ± 1.3 N/kg) (p = .003). Intracortical facilitation was higher in the strength-trained group (156 ± 49%) (p = .02), along with greater VA (98 ± 3.2%) (p = .002). The strength-trained group displayed reduced short-interval-intracortical inhibition (88 ± 8.0%) compared with the untrained group (69 ± 17.5%) (p < .001). Strength-trained individuals exhibited a greater normalized rate of force development (38.8 ± 10.1 N·s-1/kg) (p < .009), greater reticulospinal gain (2.5 ± 1.4) (p = .02) and higher ipsilateral-to-contralateral MEP ratios compared with the untrained group (p = .03). Strength-trained individuals displayed greater excitability within the intrinsic connections of the primary motor cortex and the RST. These results suggest greater synaptic input from the descending cortico-reticulospinal tract to α-motoneurons in strength-trained individuals, thereby contributing to the observed increase in VA and MVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Akalu
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Jamie Tallent
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Ashlyn K Frazer
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ummatul Siddique
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mohamad Rostami
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick Vallance
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glyn Howatson
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Water Research Group, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Simon Walker
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Dawson J Kidgell
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
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Lauber B, Taube W. Probing the link between cortical inhibitory and excitatory processes and muscle fascicle dynamics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4577. [PMID: 36941367 PMCID: PMC10027726 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31825-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
During movements, neural signals are translated into muscle fibre shortening, lengthening or they remain isometric. This study investigated cortical excitatory and inhibitory processes in relation to muscle fascicle dynamics during fixed-end rapid contractions. Fourteen adults performed submaximal and maximal ankle dorsiflexions. Single and paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the cortical representation projecting to the tibialis anterior (TA) was applied during rest, the activation and deactivation phase of contractions to test for short- (SICI) and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). Ultrasound images were taken to measure muscle fascicle dynamics of the superficial (TASF) and deep (TADP) TA compartments. The results show significantly greater maximal shortening velocities (p = 0.003, d = 0.26, CI [4.89, 18.52]) and greater maximal fascicle shortening (p = 0.003, d = 0.86, CI [0.29, 3.13]) in TASF than TADP during submaximal dorsiflexions. Significantly lower SICI levels during activation compared to deactivation (p = 0.019, d = 1.12, CI [19.82, 1.76]) and at rest (p < 0.0001) were observed. ICF was significantly greater during activation (p = 0.03) than during rest while LICI did not modulate significantly. Maximal TASF but not TADP shortening velocity correlated with SICI levels at activation (p = 0.06) and with the rate of torque development (p = 0.02). The results suggest that SICI might be related to muscle fascicle behavior and that intracortical inhibition and excitation are phase-dependently modulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Lauber
- Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Wolfgang Taube
- Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Škarabot J, Folland JP, Holobar A, Baker SN, Del Vecchio A. Startling stimuli increase maximal motor unit discharge rate and rate of force development in humans. J Neurophysiol 2022; 128:455-469. [PMID: 35829632 PMCID: PMC9423775 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00115.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Maximal rate of force development in adult humans is determined by the maximal motor unit discharge rate, however the origin of the underlying synaptic inputs remains unclear. Here, we tested a hypothesis that the maximal motor unit discharge rate will increase in response to a startling cue, a stimulus that purportedly activates the pontomedullary reticular formation neurons that make mono- and disynaptic connections to motoneurons via fast-conducting axons. Twenty-two men were required to produce isometric knee extensor forces "as fast and as hard" as possible from rest to 75% of maximal voluntary force, in response to visual (VC), visual-auditory (VAC; 80 dB), or visual-startling cue (VSC; 110 dB). Motoneuron activity was estimated via decomposition of high-density surface electromyogram recordings over the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles. Reaction time was significantly shorter in response to VSC compared to VAC and VC. The VSC further elicited faster neuromechanical responses including a greater number of discharges per motor unit per second and greater maximal rate of force development, with no differences between VAC and VC. We provide evidence, for the first time, that the synaptic input to motoneurons increases in response to a startling cue, suggesting a contribution of subcortical pathways to maximal motoneuron output in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Škarabot
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, grid.6571.5Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P Folland
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, grid.6571.5Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.,Versus Arthritis Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Ales Holobar
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Stuart N Baker
- Medical Faculty, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Department of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
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Oda H, Tsujinaka R, Fukuda S, Sawaguchi Y, Hiraoka K. Tactile perception of right middle fingertip suppresses excitability of motor cortex supplying right first dorsal interosseous muscle. Neuroscience 2022; 494:82-93. [PMID: 35588919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined whether tactile perception of the fingertip modulates excitability of the motor cortex supplying the intrinsic hand muscle and whether this modulation is specific to the fingertip stimulated and the muscle and hand tested. Tactile stimulation was given to one of the five fingertips in the left or right hand, and transcranial magnetic stimulation eliciting motor evoked potential in the first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDI) or abductor digiti minimi was given 200 ms after the onset of tactile stimulation. The corticospinal excitability of the FDI at rest was suppressed by the tactile stimulation of the right middle fingertip, but such suppression was absent for the other fingers stimulated and for the other muscle or hand tested. The persistence and amplitude of the F-wave was not significantly influenced by tactile stimulation of the fingertip in the right hand. These findings indicate that tactile perception of the right middle fingertip suppresses excitability of the motor cortex supplying the right FDI at rest. The suppression of corticospinal excitability was absent during tonic contraction of the right FDI, indicating that the motor execution process interrupts the tactile perception-induced suppression of motor cortical excitability supplying the right FDI. These findings are in line with a view that the tactile perception of the right middle finger induces surround inhibition of the motor cortex supplying the prime mover of the finger neighboring the stimulated finger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Oda
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino city, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryo Tsujinaka
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino city, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shiho Fukuda
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino city, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Sawaguchi
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino city, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichi Hiraoka
- College of Health and Human Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino city, Osaka, Japan.
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Rawji V, Modi S, Rocchi L, Jahanshahi M, Rothwel J. Proactive inhibition is marked by differences in the pattern of motor cortex activity during movement preparation and execution. J Neurophysiol 2022; 127:819-828. [PMID: 35235439 PMCID: PMC8957347 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00359.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful human behavior relies on the ability to flexibly alter movements depending on the context in which they are made. One such context-dependent modulation is proactive inhibition, a type of behavioral inhibition used when anticipating the need to stop or change movements. We investigated how the motor cortex might prepare and execute movements made under different contexts. We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in different coil orientations [postero-anterior (PA) and antero-posterior (AP) flowing currents] and pulse widths (120 and 30 µs) to probe the excitability of different inputs to corticospinal neurons while participants performed two reaction time tasks: a simple reaction time task and a stop-signal task requiring proactive inhibition. We took inspiration from state space models to assess whether the pattern of motor cortex activity changed due to proactive inhibition (PA and AP neuronal circuits represent the x and y axes of a state space upon which motor cortex activity unfolds during motor preparation and execution). We found that the rise in motor cortex excitability was delayed when proactive inhibition was required. State space visualizations showed altered patterns of motor cortex activity (combined PA120 and AP30 activity) during proactive inhibition, despite adjusting for reaction time. Overall, we show that the pattern of neural activity generated by the motor cortex during movement preparation and execution is dependent upon the context under which the movement is to be made. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using directional TMS, we find that the human motor cortex flexibly changes its pattern of neural activity depending on the context in which a movement is due to be made. Interestingly, this occurs despite adjusting for reaction time. We also show that state space and dynamical systems models of movement can be noninvasively visualized in humans using TMS, thereby offering a novel method to study these powerful models in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Rawji
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sachin Modi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marjan Jahanshahi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Rothwel
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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Goodlich BI, Horan SA, Kavanagh JJ. Blockade of 5-HT 2 receptors suppresses rate of torque development and motor unit discharge rate during rapid contractions. J Neurophysiol 2021; 127:150-160. [PMID: 34936830 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00470.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is a neuromodulator that is critical for regulating the excitability of spinal motoneurons and the generation of muscle torque. However, the role of 5-HT in modulating human motor unit activity during rapid contractions has yet to be assessed. Nine healthy participants (23.7 ± 2.2 yr) ingested 8 mg of the competitive 5-HT2 antagonist cyproheptadine in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures experiment. Rapid dorsiflexion contractions were performed at 30%, 50% and 70% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), where motor unit activity was assessed by high-density surface electromyographic decomposition. A second protocol was performed where a sustained, fatigue-inducing dorsiflexion contraction was completed prior to undertaking the same 30%, 50% and 70% MVC rapid contractions and motor unit analysis. Motor unit discharge rate (p < 0.001) and rate of torque development (RTD; p = 0.019) for the unfatigued muscle were both significantly lower for the cyproheptadine condition. Following the fatigue inducing contraction, cyproheptadine reduced motor unit discharge rate (p < 0.001) and RTD (p = 0.024), where the effects of cyproheptadine on motor unit discharge rate and RTD increased with increasing contraction intensity. Overall, these results support the viewpoint that serotonergic effects in the central nervous system occur fast enough to regulate motor unit discharge rate during rapid powerful contractions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean A Horan
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Justin J Kavanagh
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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