Heat production and chemical changes during isometric contractions of the human quadriceps muscle

A randomized controlled trial of oral antipyretic treatment to reduce overheating during exercise in adults with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Some people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) avoid exercise due to overheating. Evidence from a variety of cooling treatments shows benefits for pwMS.

OBJECTIVE

Conduct a randomized controlled trial of antipyretic treatment before exercise in pwMS.

METHODS

Adults over age 18 diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS reporting heat sensitivity during exercise were randomly assigned to one of six sequences counterbalancing aspirin, acetaminophen, placebo. At each of three study visits separated by ≥ one week, participants received 650-millograms of aspirin, acetaminophen, or placebo before completing a maximal exercise test. Primary outcomes were body temperature change and total time-to-exhaustion (TTE), secondary outcomes were physiological and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

RESULTS

Sixty participants were enrolled and assigned to treatment sequence; 37 completed ≥ one study visit. After controlling for order effects, we found that body temperature increase was reduced after aspirin (+ 0.006 ± 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit, p < 0.001) and after acetaminophen (+ 0.31 ± 0.35; p = 0.004) compared to placebo (+ 0.68 ± 0.35). TTE after aspirin (331.6 ± 76.6 s) and acetaminophen (578.2 ± 82.1) did not differ significantly from placebo (551.0 ± 78.4; p's > 0.05). Aspirin benefited all secondary outcomes compared to placebo (all p's < 0.001); acetaminophen showed broadly consistent benefits.

CONCLUSION

These results support antipyretic treatment as effective for reducing overheating during exercise in pwMS and failed to support antipyretics for increasing TTE in the context of a maximal exercise test. Benefits were shown for physiological markers of exercise productivity and PROs of fatigue, pain, and perceived exertion.

Sustainability and perceptual responses during handgrip holds to failure at two fatigue thresholds

PURPOSE

Critical force (CF) provides an estimate of the asymptote of the force-duration curve and the physical working capacity at the rating of perceived exertion (PWCRPE) estimates the highest force that can be sustained without an increase in perceived exertion. Handgrip-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries derived from sustained or repetitive motion-induced muscle fatigue are prevalent in the industrial workforce. Thus, it is important to understand the physiological mechanisms underlying performance during handgrip specific tasks to describe individual work capacities. This study examined prolonged, isometric, handgrip exercises by comparing the relative force levels, sustainability, and perceptual responses at two fatigue thresholds, CF and PWCRPE.

METHODS

Ten women (26.5 ± 3.5 years) performed submaximal, isometric handgrip holds to failure (HTF) with the dominant hand at four, randomly ordered percentages (30, 40, 50, and 60%) of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force to determine CF and PWCRPE. Isometric handgrip HTF were performed at CF and PWCRPE. Time to task failure and RPE responses were recorded.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the relative forces (p = 0.381) or sustainability (p = 0.390) between CF (18.9 ± 2.5% MVIC; 10.1 ± 2.7 min) and PWCRPE (19.5 ± 7.9% MVIC; 11.6 ± 8.4 min), and the RPE increased throughout both holds at CF and PWCRPE.

CONCLUSION

It is possible that complex physio-psychological factors may have contributed to the fatigue-induced task failure. CF and PWCRPE may overestimate the highest force output that can be maintained for an extended period of time without fatigue or perceptions of fatigue for isometric handgrip holds.

ASPIRE trial: study protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial of aspirin for overheating during exercise in multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

The many benefits of exercise for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are well established, yet patients often refrain from exercise due to overheating and exhaustion. The present randomised controlled trial tests aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)) as a convenient method to prevent overheating and improve exercise performance in persons with MS. The effects of ASA are compared with those of acetaminophen (APAP) and placebo.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Participants are seen for a laboratory maximal exercise test on 3 separate days separated by at least 1 week. At each session, body temperature is measured before oral administration of a standard adult dose (650 mg) of ASA, APAP or placebo. One hour after drug administration, participants perform a maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer. Primary outcomes are (a) time to exhaustion (that is, time spent cycling to peak exertion) and (b) body temperature change. Crossover analyses will include tests for effects of treatment, period, treatment-period interaction (carryover effect) and sequence.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was granted by the institutional review board at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (reference: AAAS2529). Results of the trial will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences. Neurologists, physiatrists, primary care physicians and physiotherapists are important stakeholders and will be targeted during dissemination. Positive trial results have the potential to promote aspirin therapy, an inexpensive and readily available treatment, to reduce overheating and allow more persons with MS to benefit from exercise.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03824938.

Energy Expenditure of Dynamic Submaximal Human Plantarflexion Movements: Model Prediction and Validation by in-vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

To understand the organization and efficiency of biological movement, it is important to evaluate the energy requirements on the level of individual muscles. To this end, predicting energy expenditure with musculoskeletal models in forward-dynamic computer simulations is currently the most promising approach. However, it is challenging to validate muscle models in-vivo in humans, because access to the energy expenditure of single muscles is difficult. Previous approaches focused on whole body energy expenditure, e.g., oxygen consumption (VO2), or on thermal measurements of individual muscles by tracking blood flow and heat release (through measurements of the skin temperature). This study proposes to validate models of muscular energy expenditure by using functional phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P-MRS). ³¹P-MRS allows to measure phosphocreatine (PCr) concentration which changes in relation to energy expenditure. In the first 25 s of an exercise, PCr breakdown rate reflects ATP hydrolysis, and is therefore a direct measure of muscular enthalpy rate. This method was applied to the gastrocnemius medialis muscle of one healthy subject during repetitive dynamic plantarflexion movements at submaximal contraction, i.e., 20% of the maximum plantarflexion force using a MR compatible ergometer. Furthermore, muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography (EMG). A model (provided as open source) that combines previous models for muscle contraction dynamics and energy expenditure was used to reproduce the experiment in simulation. All parameters (e.g., muscle length and volume, pennation angle) in the model were determined from magnetic resonance imaging or literature (e.g., fiber composition), leaving no free parameters to fit the experimental data. Model prediction and experimental data on the energy supply rates are in good agreement with the validation phase (<25 s) of the dynamic movements. After 25 s, the experimental data differs from the model prediction as the change in PCr does not reflect all metabolic contributions to the energy expenditure anymore and therefore underestimates the energy consumption. This shows that this new approach allows to validate models of muscular energy expenditure in dynamic movements in vivo.

Differential contributions of fatigue-induced strength loss and slowing of angular velocity to power loss following repeated maximal shortening contractions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue-induced reductions in isometric torque and isotonic power and to quantify the extent to which the decreases in angular velocity and dynamic torque can explain the power loss immediately following an isotonic fatiguing task and throughout recovery in seven young males and six young females. All measurements were performed with both legs. For dorsiflexion, fatigue-related time-course changes in isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, angular velocity, dynamic torque, and power production following repeated maximal isotonic contractions (load: 20% MVC) were investigated before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 5 and 10 min after a fatiguing task. There were no relationships between the fatigue-related reductions in isometric MVC torque and peak power at any timepoint, suggesting that fatigue-induced reductions in isometric MVC torque does not entirely reflect fatigue-induced changes in dynamic performance. The relative contribution of fatigue-related reduction in dynamic torque on power loss was greater immediately following the task, and lower throughout recovery than the corresponding decrease in angular velocity. Thus, power loss immediately following the task was more strongly related to the decline in dynamic torque; however, this relationship shifted throughout recovery to a greater dependence on slowing of angular velocity for power loss.

Fatigue and recovery measured with dynamic properties versus isometric force: effects of exercise intensity

Although fatigue can be defined as an exercise-related decrease in maximal power or isometric force, most studies have assessed only isometric force. The main purpose of this experiment was to compare dynamic measures of fatigue [maximal torque (T _max), maximal velocity (V _max) and maximal power (P _max)] with measures associated with maximal isometric force [isometric maximal voluntary contraction (IMVC) and maximal rate of force development (MRFD)] 10 s after different fatiguing exercises and during the recovery period (1-8 min after). Ten young men completed six experimental sessions (3 fatiguing exercises×2 types of fatigue measurements). The fatiguing exercises were: 30 s all-out intensity (AI), 10 min at severe intensity (SI) and 90 min at moderate intensity (MI). Relative P _max decreased more than IMVC after AI exercise (P=0.005) while the opposite was found after SI (P=0.005) and MI tasks (P<0.001). There was no difference between the decrease in IMVC and T _max after the AI exercise, but IMVC decreased more than T _max immediately following and during the recovery from the SI (P=0.042) and MI exercises (P<0.001). Depression of MRFD was greater than V _max after all fatiguing exercises and during recovery (all P<0.05). Despite the general definition of fatigue, isometric assessment of fatigue is not interchangeable with dynamic assessment following dynamic exercises with large muscle mass of different intensities, i.e. the results from isometric function cannot be used to estimate dynamic function and vice versa. This implies different physiological mechanisms for the various measures of fatigue.

The Effects of Selective Muscle Weakness on Muscle Coordination in the Human Arm

Despite the fundamental importance of muscle coordination in daily life, it is currently unclear how muscle coordination adapts when the musculoskeletal system is perturbed. In this study, we quantified the impact of selective muscle weakness on several metrics of muscle coordination. Seven healthy subjects performed 2D and 3D isometric force target matches, while electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from 13 elbow and shoulder muscles. Subsequently, muscle weakness was induced by a motor point block of brachialis muscle. Postblock subjects repeated the force generation tasks. We quantified muscle coordination pre- and postblock using three metrics: tuning curve preferred direction, tuning curve area, and motor modules analysis via nonnegative matrix factorization. For most muscles, the tuning direction for the 2D protocol was not substantially altered postblock, while tuning areas changed more drastically. Typically, five motor modules were identified from the 3D task, and four motor modules were identified in the 2D task; this result held across both pre- and postblock conditions. The composition of one or two motor modules, ones that involved mainly the activation of shoulder muscles, was altered postblock. Our results demonstrate that selective muscle weakness can induce nonintuitive alternations in muscle coordination in the mechanically redundant human arm.

Effects of a Finger Tapping Fatiguing Task on M1-Intracortical Inhibition and Central Drive to the Muscle

The central drive to the muscle reduces when muscle force wanes during sustained MVC, and this is generally considered the neurophysiological footprint of central fatigue. The question is if force loss and the failure of central drive to the muscle are responsible mechanisms of fatigue induced by un-resisted repetitive movements. In various experimental blocks, we validated a 3D-printed hand-fixation system permitting the execution of finger-tapping and maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). Subsequently, we checked the suitability of the system to test the level of central drive to the muscle and developed an algorithm to test it at the MVC force plateau. Our main results show that the maximum rate of finger-tapping dropped at 30 s, while the excitability of inhibitory M1-intracortical circuits and corticospinal excitability increased (all by approximately 15%). Furthermore, values obtained immediately after finger-tapping showed that MVC force and the level of central drive to the muscle remained unchanged. Our data suggest that force and central drive to the muscle are not determinants of fatigue induced by short-lasting un-resisted repetitive finger movements, even in the presence of increased inhibition of the motor cortex. According to literature, this profile might be different in longer-lasting, more complex and/or resisted repetitive movements.

Validity and reliability of the myTemp ingestible temperature capsule

OBJECTIVES

An accurate and non-invasive measurement of core body temperature (Tc) is of great importance to quantify exercise-induced increases in Tc in athletes or to assess changes in Tc in patient populations. The use of ingestible gastrointestinal telemetric temperature capsules is widely accepted as a surrogate marker for Tc, but widespread implementation is lacking due to the high costs of these disposable capsules. A new and cheaper temperature capsule system (i.e. myTemp) was recently introduced. The aim of present study is to determine the validity and test-retest reliability of the myTemp system.

DESIGN

Ex-vivo experimental study.

METHODS

Fifteen ingestible temperature capsules (myTemp, Nijmegen, Netherlands) were tested in a highly temperature controlled water bath, in which the water temperature gradually increased from 34°C to 44°C. The study protocol was performed twice for each temperature capsule.

RESULTS

Mean difference between myTemp temperature and water bath temperature was -0.001±0.005°C (Limit of Agreement (LOA): ±0.011°C) during Trial 1 (p=0.11) and -0.001±0.006°C (LOA: ±0.012°C) during Trial 2 (p=0.039). Furthermore, an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 1.00 was found for both trials. A systematic difference between Trials 1 and 2 of 0.004±0.008°C (LOA: ±0.015°C) was found (p<0.001), whereas the ICC between both trials was 1.00 and the standard error of measurement was 0.005°C.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we found a systematic bias for the sensitivity (-0.001°C) and reliability (0.004°C), these values can be considered insignificant from a physiological and clinical perspective. Thus, the myTemp ingestible temperature capsule is a valid technique to measure (water) temperature under controlled circumstances.

Cooling interventions for athletes: An overview of effectiveness, physiological mechanisms, and practical considerations

Exercise-induced increases in core body temperature could negative impact performance and may lead to development of heat-related illnesses. The use of cooling techniques prior (pre-cooling), during (per-cooling) or directly after (post-cooling) exercise may limit the increase in core body temperature and therefore improve exercise performance. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge in the field of pre-cooling, per-cooling and post-cooling. Based on existing studies, we will discuss 1) the effectiveness of cooling interventions, 2) the underlying physiological mechanisms and 3) practical considerations regarding the use of different cooling techniques. Furthermore, we tried to identify the optimal cooling technique and compared whether cooling-induced performance benefits are different between cool, moderate and hot ambient conditions. This article provides researchers, physicians, athletes and coaches with important information regarding the implementation of cooling techniques to maintain exercise performance and to successfully compete in thermally stressful conditions.

Energetics of contraction

Muscles convert energy from ATP into useful work, which can be used to move limbs and to transport ions across membranes. The energy not converted into work appears as heat. At the start of contraction heat is also produced when Ca(2+) binds to troponin-C and to parvalbumin. Muscles use ATP throughout an isometric contraction at a rate that depends on duration of stimulation, muscle type, temperature and muscle length. Between 30% and 40% of the ATP used during isometric contraction fuels the pumping Ca(2+) and Na(+) out of the myoplasm. When shortening, muscles produce less force than in an isometric contraction but use ATP at a higher rate and when lengthening force output is higher than the isometric force but rate of ATP splitting is lower. Efficiency quantifies the fraction of the energy provided by ATP that is converted into external work. Each ATP molecule provides 100 zJ of energy that can potentially be converted into work. The mechanics of the myosin cross-bridge are such that at most 50 zJ of work can be done in one ATP consuming cycle; that is, the maximum efficiency of a cross-bridge is ∼50%. Cross-bridges in tortoise muscle approach this limit, producing over 90% of the possible work per cycle. Other muscles are less efficient but contract more rapidly and produce more power.

Force-time course parameters and force fatigue model during an intermittent fatigue protocol in motorcycle race riders

Fatigue in forearm muscles may be critical for motorcycle riders in relation to performance and forearm disorders. Force-time course parameters were examined to better characterize the reduction in the maximal force generating capacity (MVC) during an intermittent fatigue protocol (IFP) specifically designed for motorcycle riders. Also, a mathematical force fatigue model is proposed. Forty motorcyclists (aged 27.6 ± 6.8 years) performed an IFP that simulated the braking gesture and posture of a rider. Fatigue was confirmed by a 40% decrement of the normalized MVC in comparison with basal value. Contraction time increased in comparison with basal condition (P ≤ 0.034). Relaxation kinetics presented two phases: (a) a pre-fatigue phase where half relaxation time (HRTraw ) and normalized (HRTnor ) decreased (P ≤ 0.013) while relaxation rate (RRraw ) remained unchanged; and (b) a fatiguing phase where HRTraw , HRTnor increased and RRraw decreased (P ≤ 0.047). Normalized RRraw (RRnor ) declined progressively (P ≤ 0.016). The proposed nonlinear force fatigue model confirmed a satisfactory adjustment (R(2)  = 0.977 ± 0.018). This mathematical expression derived three patterns of force fatigue: three-phase, exponential and linear, representing 70%, 13%, and 17% of the participants, respectively. Overall, these results provided further support to force fatigue theoretical and applied proposals.

Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses during fatiguing eccentric muscle actions of the leg extensors

The purpose of the current study was to examine the patterns of responses for torque, mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude, MMG frequency, electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, and EMG frequency across 30 repeated maximal eccentric muscle actions of the leg extensors. Eleven moderately trained females performed an eccentric fatigue protocol at 30°/s with MMG and EMG signals recorded from the vastus lateralis. The results indicated there were significant (P<.05) decreases in MMG frequency (linear, r2=.395), EMG frequency (linear, r2=.177), and torque (linear, r2=.570; % decline=9.8±13.3%); increases in MMG amplitude (linear, r2=.783); and no change in EMG amplitude (r2=.003). These findings suggested that the neural strategies used to modulate torque during fatiguing eccentric muscle actions involved de-recruitment of motor units, reduced firing rates, and synchronization. In addition, the decreases in eccentric torque were more closely associated with changes in MMG frequency than EMG frequency. Thus, these findings indicated that MMG frequency, compared with EMG frequency, more accurately tracks fatigue during repeated maximal eccentric muscle actions.

Effect of membrane properties on skeletal muscle fiber excitability: a sensitivity analysis

In this study, the sensitivity of skeletal muscle fiber excitability to changes in temperature and a range of geometrical, electrical and ionic membrane properties was examined using model simulation. A mathematical model of the propagating muscle fiber action potential (AP) was used to simulate muscle fiber APs while changing individual muscle fiber parameters in isolation to examine how they affect muscle fiber AP amplitude, shape and conduction velocity (CV). The behavior of the model was verified by comparison with previously reported experimental data from both in vivo studies conducted at physiological temperatures and in vitro and in silico studies conducted at lower temperatures. The simulation results presented demonstrate the sensitivity of AP amplitude, shape and CV and, therefore, muscle fiber excitability to small changes in a wide range of different muscle fiber parameters. Furthermore, they demonstrate the potential of computational modeling as a tool for investigating the underlying mechanisms of complex phenomena such as those which govern skeletal muscle excitation.

Anaerobic energy expenditure and mechanical efficiency during exhaustive leg press exercise

Information about anaerobic energy production and mechanical efficiency that occurs over time during short-lasting maximal exercise is scarce and controversial. Bilateral leg press is an interesting muscle contraction model to estimate anaerobic energy production and mechanical efficiency during maximal exercise because it largely differs from the models used until now. This study examined the changes in muscle metabolite concentration and power output production during the first and the second half of a set of 10 repetitions to failure (10RM) of bilateral leg press exercise. On two separate days, muscle biopsies were obtained from vastus lateralis prior and immediately after a set of 5 or a set of 10 repetitions. During the second set of 5 repetitions, mean power production decreased by 19% and the average ATP utilisation accounted for by phosphagen decreased from 54% to 19%, whereas ATP utilisation from anaerobic glycolysis increased from 46 to 81%. Changes in contraction time and power output were correlated to the changes in muscle Phosphocreatine (PCr; r = −0.76; P<0.01) and lactate (r = −0.91; P<0.01), respectively, and were accompanied by parallel decreases (P<0.01-0.05) in muscle energy charge (0.6%), muscle ATP/ADP (8%) and ATP/AMP (19%) ratios, as well as by increases in ADP content (7%). The estimated average rate of ATP utilisation from anaerobic sources during the final 5 repetitions fell to 83% whereas total anaerobic ATP production increased by 9% due to a 30% longer average duration of exercise (18.4±4.0 vs 14.2±2.1 s). These data indicate that during a set of 10RM of bilateral leg press exercise there is a decrease in power output which is associated with a decrease in the contribution of PCr and/or an increase in muscle lactate. The higher energy cost per repetition during the second 5 repetitions is suggestive of decreased mechanical efficiency.

A mechanomyographic frequency-based fatigue threshold test

Theoretically, the mechanomyographic (MMG) mean power frequency fatigue threshold (MMG MPF(FT)) describes the maximal isometric torque that can be maintained for an extended period of time with no change in the global firing rate of the unfused, activated motor units.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model for estimating the electromyographic (EMG) MPF(FT) from the frequency of the EMG signal was applicable to the frequency domain of the MMG signal to estimate a new fatigue threshold called the MMG MPF(FT); and (2) to compare the mean torque levels derived from the MMG MPF(FT) test for the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles during isometric leg extension muscle actions.

METHODS

Nine adults (4 men and 5 women; mean+/-S.D. age=21.6+/-1.2 years) performed three or four continuous, fatiguing, isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors at 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to exhaustion. Surface MMG signals were recorded from the VL, VM, and RF muscles during each fatiguing isometric muscle action. The MMG MPF(FT) was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus slope coefficient (MMG MPF versus time) plot.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the MMG MPF(FT) values for the VL, VM, and RF (34.8+/-23.4, 32.1+/-16.1, and 31.6+/-15.2 Nm, respectively) muscles.

CONCLUSION

The MMG MPF(FT) test may provide a non-invasive method to examine the effects of various interventions on the global motor unit firing rate during isometric muscle actions.

No effect of skin temperature on human ventilation response to hypercapnia during light exercise with a normothermic core temperature

Hyperthermia potentiates the influence of CO(2) on pulmonary ventilation (.V(E)). It remains to be resolved how skin and core temperatures contribute to the elevated exercise ventilation response to CO(2). This study was conducted to assess the influences of mean skin temperature (_T(SK)) and end-tidal PCO(2) (P(ET)CO(2)) on .V(E) during submaximal exercise with a normothermic esophageal temperature (T(ES)). Five males and three females who were 1.76 +/- 0.11 m tall (mean +/- SD), 75.8 +/- 15.6 kg in weight and 22.0 +/- 2.2 years of age performed three 1 h exercise trials in a climatic chamber with the relative humidity (RH) held at 31.5 +/- 9.5% and the ambient temperature (T (AMB)) maintained at one of 25, 30, or 35 degrees C. In each trial, the volunteer breathed eucapnic air for 5 min during a rest period and subsequently cycle ergometer exercised at 50 W until T (ES) stabilized at approximately 37.1 +/- 0.4 degrees C. Once T (ES) stabilized in each trial, the volunteer breathed hypercapnic air twice for approximately 5 min with P(ET)CO(2) elevated by approximately +4 or +7.5 mmHg. The significantly (P < 0.05) different increases of P(ET)CO(2) of +4.20 +/- 0.49 and +7.40 +/- 0.51 mmHg gave proportionately larger increases in .V(E) of 10.9 +/- 3.6 and 15.2 +/- 3.6 L min(-1) (P = 0.001). This hypercapnia-induced hyperventilation was uninfluenced by varying the _T(SK) to three significantly different levels (P < 0.001) of 33.2 +/- 1.2 degrees C, to 34.5 +/- 0.8 degrees C to 36.4 +/- 0.5 degrees C. In conclusion, the results support that skin temperature between approximately 33 and approximately 36 degrees C has neither effect on pulmonary ventilation nor on hypercapnia-induced hyperventilation during a light exercise with a normothermic core temperature.

Comparison of critical force to EMG fatigue thresholds during isometric leg extension

Theoretically, the critical force (CF) and the EMG fatigue threshold (EMGFT) tests demarcate fatiguing from nonfatiguing isometric torque levels.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine whether the mathematical model for estimating the EMGFT during cycle ergometry was applicable to isometric leg extension muscle actions and 2) to compare the mean torque level from the CF test to those of EMGFT tests for the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles during isometric muscle actions.

METHODS

The slope coefficient of the linear relationship between total "isometric work" (Wlim in newton-meters per second) and time to exhaustion (Tlim in seconds) was defined as the CF. The EMGFT was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus EMG fatigue curve slope coefficient relationship.

RESULTS

There was a significant (P < 0.05) mean difference between the CF (25.9 +/- 12.1 N.m) and the EMGFT value for the RF (41.1 +/- 20.7 N.m) muscle. There were no significant differences, however, in EMGFT values among the three superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris. In addition, the mean CF (17.6% maximum voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) occurred at a percentage of MVIC that is typically not affected by circulatory occlusion (20% MVIC), whereas the mean EMGFT values for the VL (25.9% MVIC), VM (22.9% MVIC), and RF (27.8% MVIC) exceeded this threshold.

Mechanical properties of young and elderly human muscle

The electrically evoked isometric properties of the triceps surae have been studied in young (22 yr) and elderly (69 yr) men and women. The results show that the triceps surae of elderly subjects had an increased time to peak tension (TPT) of the twitch, a lower specific tension (force/cross section area), and showed a greater relative force loss when subjected to a standard "fatigue" test procedure than young triceps surae. The respective figures for TPT, specific tension, and fatigue index (FI) were 147 +/- 15 ms (male), 143 +/- 8 ms (female), 19.5 N/cm2 and 0.52 +/- 0.16 (male), 0.37 +/- 0.09 (female) in the elderly, compared with 118 +/- 14 ms (male), 132 +/- 11 ms (female), 32.9 N/cm2 and 0.67 +/- 0.11 (male), 0.62 +/- 0.09 (female) in their younger counterparts. The peak rates of rise (delta P50, delta P200) and relaxation (delta PR50, delta PR200) of tetani at 50 Hz and 200 Hz were slower (p less than 0.05) in the elderly group. The delta P50 and delta P200 were inversely associated (r = 0.76 and -0.50 respectively) with TPT, and the half relaxation time (1/2RT) of the maximal twitch was related to delta PR50 (r = 0.53). The decrease of tetanus relaxation rate during the 2 min fatigue test (delta PRF) was greater in the elderly than the young and was positively associated (r = 0.74) with FI. It is concluded that elderly muscle is weaker, more slowly contracting and fatigable than that of the young. However, it is suggested that the reduced specific tension and enhanced fatiguability of the elderly may in part be due respectively to the inadequacies of our estimates of the effective cross-sectional area CSA) of contractile tissue in the lower leg and the influence of blood flow which may be compromised during a 2 min test.

A new EMG frequency-based fatigue threshold test

Theoretically, the critical torque (CT) and electromyographic mean power frequency fatigue threshold (EMG MPF(FT)) describe the maximal non-fatiguing isometric torque level.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were two-fold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model for estimating the EMG fatigue threshold (EMG(FT)) from the amplitude of the EMG signal was applicable to the frequency domain of the EMG signal to estimate a new fatigue threshold called the EMG MPF(FT); and (2) to compare the torque level derived from the CT test to that of the EMG MPF(FT) test for the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors.

METHODS

Nine adults (4 men and 5 women; mean+/-SD age=21.6+/-1.2 yr) performed three or four continuous, fatiguing, isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors at 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to determine the time to exhaustion (T(lim)) values. The slope coefficient of the linear relationship between total isometric "work" (W(lim) in Nms=TorquexT(lim)) and T(lim) was defined as the CT. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during each fatiguing isometric muscle action. The EMG MPF(FT) was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus slope coefficient (EMG MPF versus time) plot.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between CT (19.7+/-5.8%MVIC) and EMG MPF(FT) (21.4+/-8.7%MVIC).

CONCLUSION

These findings provided indirect validation of the EMG MPF(FT) test.

A comparison of critical force and electromyographic fatigue threshold for isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model used for estimating the EMG(FT) during cycle ergometry was applicable to isometric muscle actions; and (2) to compare the mean torque level from the CF test to that of the EMG(FT) test. The CF was defined as the slope coefficient of the linear relationship between total "isometric work" (W (lim) in N m s) and time to exhaustion (T (lim)). The EMG(FT) was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus EMG fatigue curve slope coefficient relationship. There was a significant (p < 0.05) mean difference between CF (6.6 +/- 3.2 N m) and EMG(FT) (10.9 +/- 4.7 N m). The results of the present study suggested that, during isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors, fatigue thresholds estimated from the W (lim) versus T (lim) relationship (CF) are different from those estimated from electromyographic fatigue curves (EMG(FT)).

Fatigue in human metabolic myopathy

The ability of muscle fibres to sustain force can be related to their economy of energy utilization and to their capacity to regenerate energy under the prevailing conditions (aerobic or anaerobic) of contraction. The pathophysiology of muscle fatigue is analysed in patients with thyroid dysfunction and with impaired glycogenolysis, and in a patient with abnormal mitochondrial function. Muscle from hypothyroid patients, like cooled muscle, is slow in relaxing and shows a reduced energy requirement (energy economy) and reduced fatiguability, whereas muscle of hyperthyroid patients may show the opposite features. In myophosphorylase deficiency the energy economy is normal in the fresh state and increases as contraction proceeds; however, fatigue is premature and associated with impaired excitation rather than an overall depletion of energy stores. With abnormal mitochondrial function the muscle tends to be effectively anaerobic and fatigue is associated with impaired excitation-contraction coupling. This appears to result from either muscle ischaemia or the dominant use of anaerobic metabolism for energy regeneration. Fatigue in these disorders of energy metabolism may ultimately be due to a reduced supply of ATP but direct evidence of this is lacking and, if it occurs, its physiological expression is probably variable.

Muscle fatigue due to changes beyond the neuromuscular junction

A number of changes in function occur beyond the neuromuscular junction during activity; three main types are described. (a) During high frequency stimulation there is a rapid loss of force accompanied by a slowing of the action potential waveform and an increase in the excitation threshold of the muscle. It is suggested that accumulation of K+ in the extracellular spaces of the muscle may be responsible for these changes. (b) Slowing of relaxation is a feature of fatigued muscle. The slowing allows a reduction in activation frequency (minimizing high frequency fatigue) without resulting in an appreciable loss of force. (c) Changes in shape and amplitude of the twitch have considerable effects on the force generated by low frequencies of stimulation. After a brief tetanus there is a reduction in the width of the twitch which increases the fusion frequency of the muscle and may account for the "sag' seen at the start of low frequency contractions. After a prolonged series of contractions the twitch amplitude is reduced and remains so for several hours. This may be the result of some structural damage to the sarcoplasmic reticulum or transverse tubular system.

Modulation of the actomyosin interaction during fatigue of skeletal muscle

Fatigue of skeletal muscle involves many systems beginning with the central nervous system and ending with the contractile machinery. This review concentrates on those factors that directly affect the actomyosin interaction: the build-up of metabolites; myosin phosphorylation; and oxidation of the myofibrillar proteins by free radicals. The decrease in [ATP] and increase in [ADP] appear to play little role in modulating function. The increase in phosphate inhibits tension. The decrease in pH, long thought to be a major factor, is now known to play a more minor role. Myosin phosphorylation potentiates the force achieved in a twitch, and a further role in inhibiting velocity is proposed. Protein oxidation can both potentiate and inhibit the actomyosin interaction. It is concluded that these factors, taken together, do not fully explain the inhibition of the actomyosin interaction observed in living fibers, and thus additional modulators of this interaction remain to be discovered.

Change in contractile properties of human muscle in relationship to the loss of power and slowing of relaxation seen with fatigue

Slow relaxation from an isometric contraction is characteristic of acutely fatigued muscle and is associated with a decrease in the maximum velocity of unloaded shortening (V(max)) and both these phenomena might be due to a decreased rate of cross bridge detachment. We have compared the change in relaxation rate with that of various parameters of the force-velocity relationship over the course of an ischaemic series of fatiguing contractions and subsequent recovery using the human adductor pollicis muscle working in vivo at approximately 37 degrees C in nine healthy young subjects. Maximal isometric force (F(0)) decreased from 91.0 +/- 1.9 to 58.3 +/- 3.5 N (mean +/- s.e.m.). Maximum power decreased from 53.6 +/- 4.0 to 17.7 +/- 1.2 (arbitrary units) while relaxation rate declined from -10.3 +/- 0.38 to -2.56 +/- 0.29 s(-1). V(max) showed a smaller relative change from 673 +/- 20 to 560 +/- 46 deg s(-1) and with a time course that differed markedly from that of slowing of relaxation, showing very little change until late in the series of contractions. Curvature of the force-velocity relationship increased (a/F(0) decreasing from 0.22 +/- 0.02 to 0.11 +/- 0.02) with fatigue and with a time course that was similar to that of the loss of power and the slowing of relaxation. It is concluded that for human muscle working at a normal physiological temperature the change in curvature of the force-velocity relationship with fatigue is a major cause of loss of power and may share a common underlying mechanism with the slowing of relaxation from an isometric contraction.

Effects of lengthening contraction on calcium kinetics and skeletal muscle contractility in humans

AIM

We have tested the hypothesis that the altered muscle contractility after lengthening contractions (LC) is caused by altered calcium (Ca2+) kinetics.

METHODS

Subjects (n = 8) performed 100 drop jumps and muscle contractility was measured pre- and post-exercise by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and transcutaneous electrical stimulation (1, 20 and 50 Hz). Muscle biopsies were analysed for muscle metabolites, rates of SR Ca(2+) uptake (CaU) and release (CaR) and myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition.

RESULTS

The rates of torque relaxation and CaU were positively related to muscle fibre type composition (% MHC II). Muscle creatine (Cr) decreased and the ratio between phosphocreatine (PCr) and Cr increased 3 and 24 h post-exercise (P < 0.05 vs. pre-exercise). LC resulted in reduced MVC (-19%), twitch torque (-41%) and 20/50 Hz torque ratio (-30%) and a faster relaxation rate (P < 0.05). The contractile parameters recovered partially but remained altered 24 h post-exercise (P < 0.05). The average CaR was unchanged after LC (P > 0.05). However, the response varied between subjects and the relative post-exercise CaR was significantly related to the degree of LFF (post/pre 20/50 Hz force ratio) and to the decline in twitch force (post/pre twitch ratio). CaU was lower in seven of eight subjects after LC (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The decline in torque after LC could not be explained by metabolic factors since PCr/Cr ratio increased. The relation between CaR and fatigue suggests that the mechanism of fatigue in part may be attributed to intrinsic changes in the SR Ca2+ release channel. The faster torque relaxation after LC could not be explained by an increased rate of CaU.

Assessment of low-frequency fatigue with two methods of electrical stimulation

The aim of this study was to compare the use of transcutaneous vs. motor nerve stimulation in the evaluation of low-frequency fatigue. Nine female and eleven male subjects, all physically active, performed a 30-min downhill run on a motorized treadmill. Knee extensor muscle contractile characteristics were measured before, immediately after (Post), and 30 min after the fatiguing exercise (Post30) by using single twitches and 0.5-s tetani at 20 Hz (P20) and 80 Hz (P80). The P20-to-P80 ratio was calculated. Electrical stimulations were randomly applied either maximally to the femoral nerve or via large surface electrodes (ES) at an intensity sufficient to evoke 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) during a 80-Hz tetanus. Voluntary activation level was also determined during isometric MVC by the twitch-interpolation technique. Knee extensor MVC and voluntary activation level decreased at all points in time postexercise ( P < 0.001). P20 and P80 displayed significant time × gender × stimulation method interactions ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Both stimulation methods detected significant torque reductions at Post and Post30. Overall, ES tended to detect a greater impairment at Post in male and a lesser one in female subjects at both Post and Post30. Interestingly, the P20-P80 ratio relative decrease did not differ between the two methods of stimulation. The low-to-high frequency ratio only demonstrated a significant time effect ( P < 0.001). It can be concluded that low-frequency fatigue due to eccentric exercise appears to be accurately assessable by ES.

Quadriceps voluntary activation at different joint angles measured by two stimulation techniques

People are able to fully activate their quadriceps at mid-length during a brief isometric contraction but it is uncertain whether this is the case at other muscle lengths. With the twitch superimposition technique for determining levels of voluntary activation (VA), the muscle may be stimulated through the intramuscular branches of the nerve or via the nerve trunk itself. The former technique is easier to use, but different populations of motor units may be stimulated if the joint position is changed to alter muscle length. The purpose of this study was to investigate quadriceps VA at a range of knee joint angles using both magnetic stimulation of the motor nerve and percutaneous electrical stimulation over the muscle belly. Eight healthy subjects (six females, mean age 29 years) performed maximal voluntary contractions of the quadriceps at knee joint angles at 10-110 degrees of flexion. Surface electromyography (EMG) of quadriceps and hamstrings was recorded as an indication of the amount of muscle activity. Nearly all subjects showed >95% VA at all joint angles. VA did not vary with joint angle nor were there significant differences between the two stimulation techniques. Similarly, there was no significant effect of knee joint angle on the EMG activity of either muscle group. These findings indicate that VA of the quadriceps during a brief isometric contraction is not affected by muscle length and can be measured by either stimulation technique.

ATP and heat production in human skeletal muscle during dynamic exercise: higher efficiency of anaerobic than aerobic ATP resynthesis

The aim of the present study was to simultaneously examine skeletal muscle heat production and ATP turnover in humans during dynamic exercise with marked differences in aerobic metabolism. This was done to test the hypothesis that efficiency is higher in anaerobic than aerobic ATP resynthesis. Six healthy male subjects performed 90 s of low intensity knee-extensor exercise with (OCC) and without thigh occlusion (CON-LI) as well as 90 s of high intensity exercise (CON-HI) that continued from the CON-LI bout. Muscle heat production was determined by continuous measurements of muscle heat accumulation and heat release to the blood. Muscle ATP production was quantified by repeated measurements of thigh oxygen uptake as well as blood and muscle metabolite changes. All temperatures of the thigh were equalized to approximately 37 degrees C prior to exercise by a water-perfused heating cuff. Oxygen uptake accounted for 80 +/- 2 and 59 +/- 4 %, respectively, of the total ATP resynthesis in CON-LI and CON-HI, whereas it was negligible in OCC. The rise in muscle temperature was lower (P < 0.05) in OCC than CON-LI (0.32 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.03 degrees C). The mean rate of heat production was also lower (P < 0.05) in OCC than CON-LI (36 +/- 4 vs. 57 +/- 4 J s-1). Mechanical efficiency was 52 +/- 4 % after 15 s of OCC and remained constant, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) from 56 +/- 5 to 32 +/- 3 % during CON-LI. During CON-HI, mechanical efficiency transiently increased (P < 0.05) to 47 +/- 4 %, after which it decreased (P < 0.05) to 36 +/- 3 % at the end of CON-HI. Assuming a fully coupled mitochondrial respiration, the ATP turnover per unit of work was calculated to be unaltered during OCC (approximately 20 mmol ATP kJ-1), whereas it increased (P < 0.05) from 21 +/- 4 to 29 +/- 3 mmol ATP kJ-1 during CON-LI and further (P < 0.05) to 37 +/- 3 mmol ATP kJ-1 during CON-HI. The present data confirm the hypothesis that heat loss is lower in anaerobic ATP resynthesis than in oxidative phosphorylation and can in part explain the finding that efficiency declines markedly during dynamic exercise. In addition, the rate of ATP turnover apparently increases during constant load low intensity exercise. Alternatively, mitochondrial efficiency is lowered as exercise progresses, since ATP turnover was unaltered during the ischaemic exercise bout.

David Keynes Hill. 23 July 1915 – 18 August 2002 Elected FRS 1972

David Hill followed his father, A.V. Hill FRS, into the study of muscular contraction. Using a wide range of experimental techniques, he made several important advances of which the most important was the discovery of the ‘short-range elastic component’ a phenomenon which implied that even in the resting state there was an interaction between the thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments. He also studied physical changes in nerve when stimulated.

Muscle heat production and anaerobic energy turnover during repeated intense dynamic exercise in humans

1. The aim of the present study was to examine muscle heat production, oxygen uptake and anaerobic energy turnover throughout repeated intense exercise to test the hypotheses that (i) energy turnover is reduced when intense exercise is repeated and (ii) anaerobic energy production is diminished throughout repeated intense exercise. 2. Five subjects performed three 3 min intense one-legged knee-extensor exercise bouts (EX1, EX2 and EX3) at a power output of 65 +/- 5 W (mean +/- S.E.M.), separated by 6 min rest periods. Muscle, femoral arterial and venous temperatures were measured continuously during exercise for the determination of muscle heat production. In addition, thigh blood flow was measured and femoral arterial and venous blood were sampled frequently during exercise for the determination of muscle oxygen uptake. Anaerobic energy turnover was estimated as the difference between total energy turnover and aerobic energy turnover. 3. Prior to exercise, the temperature of the quadriceps muscle was passively elevated to 37.02 +/- 0.12 degrees C and it increased 0.97 +/- 0.08 degrees C during EX1, which was higher (P < 0.05) than during EX2 (0.79 +/- 0.05 degrees C) and EX3 (0.77 +/- 0.06 degrees C). In EX1 the rate of muscle heat accumulation was higher (P < 0.05) during the first 120 s compared to EX2 and EX3, whereas the rate of heat release to the blood was greater (P < 0.05) throughout EX2 and EX3 compared to EX1. The rate of heat production, determined as the sum of heat accumulation and release, was the same in EX1, EX2 and EX3, and it increased (P < 0.05) from 86 +/- 8 during the first 15 s to 157 +/- 7 J s(-1) during the last 15 s of EX1. 4. Oxygen extraction was higher during the first 60 s of EX2 and EX3 than in EX 1 and thigh oxygen uptake was elevated (P < 0.05) during the first 120 s of EX2 and throughout EX3 compared to EX1. The anaerobic energy production during the first 105 s of EX2 and 150 s of EX3 was lower (P < 0.05) than in EX1. 5. The present study demonstrates that when intense exercise is repeated muscle heat production is not changed, but muscle aerobic energy turnover is elevated and anaerobic energy production is reduced during the first minutes of exercise.

Effects of dehydration and rehydration on EMG changes during fatiguing contractions

PURPOSE

This study measured the effects of sauna-induced dehydration (Dhy) and the effectiveness of rapid rehydration on muscle performance and EMG frequency spectrum changes associated with fatigue during isometric contractions.

METHODS

Knee extensor muscle strength during isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and endurance time at 25% and 70% of MVC (ET25 and ET70, respectively) were measured three times in 11 healthy male subjects, under euhydration conditions (Eu), after Dhy, and after rehydration following Dhy (Rhy).

RESULTS

Dhy led to a decrease in body weight by 2.95 +/- 0.05%. No significant effect of the hydration status was shown on MVC values. A 23% decrease in ET25 was recorded during Dhy (P < 0.01), whereas ET70 only tended to decrease (-13%, P = 0.06). ET25 was higher during Rhy than Dhy (8%, P < 0.05) but remained lower than during Eu (-17%, P < 0.05). The EMG root mean square (RMS) increased earlier during Dhy than Eu. Opposite changes were shown for the mean power frequency (MPF) of EMG, and Dhy resulted in an accelerated fall in MPF. However, because ET25 decreased with dehydration, RMS and MPF changes were similar during Eu and Dhy when reported to normalized contraction time, exhaustion was thus associated with similar values of RMS and MPF for all conditions. RMS and MPF changes during Rhy showed an intermediate pattern between Eu and Dhy.

CONCLUSIONS

Dhy induced an increase in muscle fatigue, associated with early changes in EMG spectral parameters. It is not clear whether these alterations could be attributed to biochemical modifications, and the role of increased perception of effort when subjects were dehydrated should be clarified.

Relaxation rate in the assessment of masseter muscle fatigue

The aim of this study was to assess a simple method of measuring relaxation rate in the jaw-closing system for the purpose of quantifying jaw muscle fatigue. A summary of the various different methods of measuring relaxation rate is also provided. The rates of twitch contraction and relaxation were measured in 30 symptom-free subjects following bilateral direct electrical stimulation of the masseter muscles. The resulting twitch force was recorded via a force transducer placed between the anterior teeth. The transducer was held between the teeth with as little force as possible while four single stimuli were delivered at 5-s intervals. The stimulating electrodes were then removed and replaced and the experiment was repeated. The force records of the resulting twitches were averaged and the half-contraction time, twitch amplitude and half-relaxation time were measured. There was a significant difference in half-relaxation time between males and females, being faster in females (P=0.0045, independent t-test). No significant difference was found in twitch amplitude and half-contraction time between males and females. Half-relaxation time and half-contraction time were independent of twitch amplitude. This method of measuring the relaxation rate of the masseter muscles was found to be practical and the results were reproducible between sessions.

Heat production in human skeletal muscle at the onset of intense dynamic exercise

1. We hypothesised that heat production of human skeletal muscle at a given high power output would gradually increase as heat liberation per mole of ATP produced rises when energy is derived from oxidation compared to phosphocreatine (PCr) breakdown and glycogenolysis. 2. Five young volunteers performed 180 s of intense dynamic knee-extensor exercise ( approximately 80 W) while estimates of muscle heat production, power output, oxygen uptake, lactate release, lactate accumulation and ATP and PCr hydrolysis were made. Heat production was determined continuously by (i) measuring heat storage in the contracting muscles, (ii) measuring heat removal to the body core by the circulation, and (iii) estimating heat transfer to the skin by convection and conductance as well as to the body core by lymph drainage. 3. The rate of heat storage in knee-extensor muscles was highest during the first 45 s of exercise (70-80 J s-1) and declined gradually to 14 +/- 10 J s-1 at 180 s. 4. The rate of heat removal by blood was negligible during the first 10 s of exercise, rising gradually to 112 +/- 14 J s-1 at 180 s. The estimated rate of heat release to skin and heat removal via lymph flow was < 2 J s-1 during the first 5 s and increased progressively to 24 +/- 1 J s-1 at 180 s. The rate of heat production increased significantly throughout exercise, being 107 % higher at 180 s compared to the initial 5 s, with half of the increase occurring during the first 38 s, while power output remained essentially constant. 5. The contribution of muscle oxygen uptake and net lactate release to total energy turnover increased curvilinearly from 32 % and 2 %, respectively, during the first 30 s to 86 % and 8 %, respectively, during the last 30 s of exercise. The combined energy contribution from net ATP hydrolysis, net PCr hydrolysis and muscle lactate accumulation is estimated to decline from 37 % to 3 % comparing the same time intervals. 6. The magnitude and rate of elevation in heat production by human skeletal muscle during exercise in vivo could be the result of the enhanced heat liberation during ATP production when aerobic metabolism gradually becomes dominant after PCr and glycogenolysis have initially provided most of the energy.