Microgravity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in women and men: implications for long-duration spaceflights to the Moon and Mars

The inclusion of women on spaceflights has historically been limited. Recently, the first woman who will travel to the Moon was selected, and more women are participating in long-duration spaceflights. However, physiological data from real and simulated microgravity exposure are limited in women. This investigation studied women (n = 8, 34 ± 1 yr) and men (n = 9, 32 ± 1 yr) who underwent 2 (women) or 3 (men) mo of simulated microgravity (6° head-down tilt bed rest). Quadriceps and triceps surae muscle volumes were assessed via MRI before bed rest, bed rest day 29 (BR29, women and men), bed rest day 57 (BR57, women), and bed rest day 89 (BR89, men). Volume of both muscle groups decreased (P < 0.05) in women and men at all bed rest timepoints. Quadriceps muscle volume loss in women was greater than men at 1 mo (BR29: -17% vs. -10%, P < 0.05) and this 1-mo loss for women was similar to men at 3 mo (BR89: -18%, P > 0.05). In addition, the loss in women at 2 mo (BR57: -21%) exceeded men at 3 mo (P < 0.05). For the triceps surae, there was a trend for greater muscle volume loss in women compared with men at 1 mo (BR29: -18% vs. -16%, P = 0.08), and loss in women at 2 mo was similar to men at 3 mo (BR57: -29%, BR89: -29%, P > 0.05). The collective evidence suggests that women experience greater lower limb muscle atrophy than men at least through the first 4 mo of microgravity exposure. More sex-specific microgravity studies are needed to help protect the health of women traveling on long-duration orbital and interplanetary spaceflights.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study adds to the limited evidence regarding sex-specific responses to real or simulated microgravity exposure, which collectively suggests a sex-specific muscle atrophy profile, with women losing more than men at least through the first 4 mo of weightlessness. Considering the increase in women being selected for space missions, including the first women to travel to the Moon, more physiological data on women in response to microgravity are needed.

MRI-Based Regional Muscle Use during Hamstring Strengthening Exercises in Elite Soccer Players

The present study examined site-specific hamstring muscles use with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in elite soccer players during strength training. Thirty-six players were randomized into four groups, each performing either Nordic hamstring, flywheel leg-curl, Russian belt or the hip-extension conic-pulley exercise. The transverse relaxation time (T2) shift from pre- to post-MRI were calculated for the biceps femoris long (BFl) and short (BFs) heads, semitendinosus (ST) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles at proximal, middle and distal areas of the muscle length. T2 values increased substantially after flywheel leg-curl in all regions of the BFl (from 9±8 to 16±8%), BFs (41±6-71±11%), and ST (60±1-69±7%). Nordic hamstring induced a substantial T2 increase in all regions of the BFs (13±8-16±5%) and ST (15±7-17±5%). T2 values after the Russian belt deadlift substantially increased in all regions of the BFl (6±4-7±5%), ST (8±3-11±2%), SM (6±4-10±4%), and proximal and distal regions of BFs (6±6-8±5%). T2 values substantially increased after hip-extension conic-pulley only in proximal and middle regions of BFl (11±5-7±5%) and ST (7±3-12±4%). The relevance of such MRI-based inter- and intra-muscle use in designing more effective resistance training for improving hamstring function and preventing hamstring injuries in elite soccer players should be explored with more mechanistic studies.

Collagen content in the vastus lateralis and the soleus muscle following a 90-day bed rest period with or without resistance exercises

INTRODUCTION

spaceflight seems associated with deterioration of the function of the skeletal muscles. Since muscle collagen is critical for muscle function, an improved understanding of the content of the muscle collagen during long-term inactivity seems important. Bed-rest with in-bed resistance training serves as a proxy for the conditions in space. Therefore, ground-based studies may improve the understanding of the consequences of long-term inactivity.

PURPOSE

the purpose is to compare the change in collagen protein in the vastus lateralis (VL) and the soleus (SOL) muscle amongst persons exposed to a 90-day bed rest with or without resistance exercise.

METHODS

an explorative analysis was completed based on data from a randomized, controlled trial. The intervention group (BRE, SOL n=4, VL n=8) performed supine-based squat exercises, whereas the controls (BE, SOL n=6, VL n=12) remained inactive during follow-up. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis and soleus were taken at baseline (pre) and after 90-days' follow-up (post). Muscle collagen (μg collagen/mg protein) was quantified. Two-way repeated measurements ANOVA was used to compare the interaction between the intervention (BRE/BR) and time (pre/post) for each muscle.

RESULTS

the collagen content of VL was similar between pre and post in the BRE group (-3.8 μg collagen/mg protein [95% CI: -22.0; 14.4], p=0.68) while it rose amongst individuals in the BR group (14.9 μg collagen/mg protein [95% CI: -0.01; 29.7], p=0.05). The difference of 18.66 [95% CI: -6.5; 43.9] between BRE and BR across time was, however, not significant (p=0.14). No significant reduction in SOL muscle collagen content was observed from pre to post in the BR group (-9.3 μg collagen/mg protein [95% CI: -24.9; 6.4], p=0.25) or in the BRE group (-6.5 μg collagen/mg protein [95% CI: -25.6; 12.6], p=0.50). There was no difference in the effect of BR versus BRE over time (mean difference -2.78 μg collagen/mg protein [95% CI: -29.7; 24.1], p=0.82).

CONCLUSION

muscle collagen content in the VL or SOL muscle does not seem to differ after a 90-day bed rest period with or without squat exercises.

New records in aerobic power among octogenarian lifelong endurance athletes

We examined whole body aerobic capacity and myocellular markers of oxidative metabolism in lifelong endurance athletes [n = 9, 81 ± 1 yr, 68 ± 3 kg, body mass index (BMI) = 23 ± 1 kg/m(2)] and age-matched, healthy, untrained men (n = 6; 82 ± 1 y, 77 ± 5 kg, BMI = 26 ± 1 kg/m(2)). The endurance athletes were cross-country skiers, including a former Olympic champion and several national/regional champions, with a history of aerobic exercise and participation in endurance events throughout their lives. Each subject performed a maximal cycle test to assess aerobic capacity (VO(2max)). Subjects had a resting vastus lateralis muscle biopsy to assess oxidative enzymes (citrate synthase and βHAD) and molecular (mRNA) targets associated with mitochondrial biogenesis [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam)]. The octogenarian athletes had a higher (P < 0.05) absolute (2.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 l/min) and relative (38 ± 1 vs. 21 ± 1 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) VO(2max), ventilation (79 ± 3 vs. 64 ± 7 l/min), heart rate (160 ± 5 vs. 146 ± 8 beats per minute), and final workload (182 ± 4 vs. 131 ± 14 W). Skeletal muscle oxidative enzymes were 54% (citrate synthase) and 42% (βHAD) higher (P < 0.05) in the octogenarian athletes. Likewise, basal PGC-1α and Tfam mRNA were 135% and 80% greater (P < 0.05) in the octogenarian athletes. To our knowledge, the VO(2max) of the lifelong endurance athletes is the highest recorded in humans >80 yr of age and comparable to nonendurance trained men 40 years younger. The superior cardiovascular and skeletal muscle health profile of the octogenarian athletes provides a large functional reserve above the aerobic frailty threshold and is associated with lower risk for disability and mortality.

Expression profiling following local muscle inactivity in humans provides new perspective on diabetes-related genes

Physical activity enhances muscle mitochondrial gene expression, while inactivity and mitochondrial dysfunction are both risk factors for developing diabetes. Defective activation of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1alpha may contribute to the gene expression pattern observed in diabetic and insulin-resistant skeletal muscle. We proposed that greater insight into the mitochondrial component of skeletal muscle "diabetes" would be possible if the clinical transcriptome data were contrasted with local muscle inactivity-induced modulation of mitochondrial genes in otherwise healthy subjects. We studied PPARGC1A (PGC-1alpha), PPARGC1B (PGC-1beta), NRF1, and a variety of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes critical for oxidative phosphorylation in soleus muscle biopsies obtained from six healthy men and women before and after 5 weeks of local muscle inactivity. Muscle inactivity resulted in a coordinated down-regulation of PGC-1alpha and genes involved with mitochondrial metabolism, including muscle substrate delivery genes. Decreased expression of the mtDNA helicase Twinkle was related to the decline in mitochondrial RNA polymerase (r = 0.83, p < 0.04), suggesting that mtDNA transcription and replication are coregulated in human muscle tissue. In contrast to the situation in diabetes, PGC-1beta expression was not significantly altered, while NRF1 expression was actually up-regulated following muscle inactivity. We can conclude that reduced PGC-1alpha expression described in Type 2 diabetes may be partly explained by muscle inactivity. Further, although diabetes patients are typically inactive, our analysis indicates that local muscle inactivity may not be expected to contribute to the decreased NRF1 and PGC-1beta expression noted in insulin-resistant and Type 2 diabetes patients, suggesting these changes may be more disease specific.

Effects of 84-days of bedrest and resistance training on single muscle fibre myosin heavy chain distribution in human vastus lateralis and soleus muscles

AIM

This investigation determined the effects of 84 days of bedrest on the composition of myosin heavy chain (MHC) in single skeletal muscle fibres with and without a resistance-training countermeasure programme.

METHODS

Muscle biopsies were obtained from the m. vastus lateralis (VL) and m. soleus (SOL) before and after 84 days of bedrest. While control (BR) subjects (VL n = 9; SOL n = 3) refrained from exercise, BRE subjects (VL n = 8; SOL n = 3) performed knee extensor and plantar flexor resistance exercise every third day. Approximately 110 fibres per sample were analysed for MHC composition using SDS-PAGE.

RESULTS

BR-VL had 16 and 14% decreases (P < 0.05) in MHC I and IIa fibres, respectively. There were 10% increases (P < 0.05) in MHC I/IIa, IIa/IIx, I/IIa/IIx, and a approximately 30% increase (P < 0.05) in total hybrid fibres. BRE-VL showed a 15% reduction (P < 0.05) in MHC I fibres, no change in MHC IIa fibres, and a 13% increase (P < 0.05) in total hybrids. BR-SOL had a 19% decrease (P < 0.05) in MHC I fibres with a 22% increase in total hybrids. BRE-SOL showed no change in MHC composition across all fibre types.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the exercise countermeasures programme prevented MHC shifts in the SOL and mitigated MHC shifts in the VL. Furthermore, in the VL it appears that the resistance training programme employed in this investigation during bedrest, emphasized the use of MHC IIa phenotype muscle fibres.

Muscle atrophy and bone loss after 90 days' bed rest and the effects of flywheel resistive exercise and pamidronate: results from the LTBR study

Muscle atrophy and bone loss pose substantial problems for long-term space flight and in clinical immobilization. We therefore tested the efficacy of flywheel resistive exercise and pamidronate to counteract such losses. Twenty five young healthy males underwent strict bed rest with -6 degrees head-down tilt for 90 days. Subjects were randomized into an exercise group that practiced resistive exercise with a 'flywheel' (FW) device every 2-3 days, a pamidronate group (Pam) that received 60 mg pamidronate i.v. 14 days prior to bed rest and a control group (Ctrl) that received none of these countermeasures. During the study, Ca(++) and protein intake were controlled. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was used to assess bone mineral content (BMC) and muscle cross sectional area (mCSA) of calf and forearm. Measurements were taken twice during baseline data collection, after 28 and after 89 days bed rest, and after 14 days recovery. On the same days, urinary Pyridinoline excretion and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, Ca(++) and PTH were measured. Pre-study exercise habits were assessed through the Freiburg questionnaire. Losses in calf mCSA were significantly reduced in FW (Ctrl: -25.6% +/- 2.5% Pam: -25.6% +/- 3.7%, FW: -17.3% +/- 2.7%), but not in the forearm mCSA (Ctrl: -6.4% +/- 4.33%, Pam: -7.7% +/- 4.1%, FW: -7.6% +/- 3.3%). Both diaphyseal and epiphyseal BMC losses of the tibia were mitigated in Pam and FW as compared to Ctrl, although this was significant only at the diaphysis. Inter-individual variability was significantly greater for changes in BMC than in mCSA, and correlation of BMC losses was poor among different locations of the tibia. A significant positive correlation was found between change in tibia epiphyseal BMC and serum cortisol levels. These findings suggest that both countermeasures are only partly effective to preserve BMC (FW and Pam) and mCSA (FW) of the lower leg during bed rest. The partial efficacy of flywheel exercise as well as the bones' response to unloading per se underlines the importance of mechanical stimuli. The huge variability of BMC changes, however, suggests that other factors affect changes in whole-bone strength following acute mechanical disuse.

Human single muscle fibre function with 84 day bed-rest and resistance exercise

Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and after 84 days of bed-rest from six control (BR) and six resistance-exercised (BRE) men to examine slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibre contractile function. BR did not exercise during bed-rest and had a 17 and 40% decrease in whole muscle size and function, respectively. The BRE group performed four sets of seven maximal concentric and eccentric supine squats 2-3 days per week (every third day) that maintained whole muscle strength and size. Slow (MHC I) and fast (MHC IIa) muscle fibres were studied at 15 degrees C for diameter, peak force (P(o)), contractile velocity (V(o)) and force-power parameters. SDS-PAGE was performed on each single fibre after the functional experiments to determine MHC isoform composition. MHC I and IIa BR fibres were, respectively, 15 and 8% smaller, 46 and 25% weaker (P(o)), 21 and 6% slower (V(o)), and 54 and 24% less powerful after bed-rest (P < 0.05). BR MHC I and IIa P(o) and power normalized to cell size were lower (P < 0.05). BRE MHC I fibres showed no change in size or V(o) after bed-rest; however, P(o) was 19% lower (P < 0.05), resulting in 20 and 30% declines (P < 0.05) in normalized P(o) and power, respectively. BRE MHC IIa fibres showed no change in size, P(o) and power after bed-rest, while V(o) was elevated 13% (P < 0.05). BRE MHC IIa normalized P(o) and power were 10 and 15% lower (P < 0.05), respectively. MHC isoform composition shifted away from MHC I fibres, resulting in an increase (P < 0.05) in MHC I/IIa (BR and BRE) and MHC IIa/IIx (BR only) fibres. These data show that the contractile function of the MHC I fibres was more affected by bed-rest and less influenced by the resistance exercise protocol than the MHC IIa fibres. Considering the large differences in power of human MHC I and IIa muscle fibres (5- to 6-fold), the maintenance of whole muscle function with the resistance exercise programme is probably explained by (1). the maintenance of MHC IIa power and (2). the shift from slow to fast (MHC I --> MHC I/IIa) in single fibre MHC isoform composition.

A rat resistance exercise regimen attenuates losses of musculoskeletal mass during hindlimb suspension

Exposure to microgravity and/or spaceflight causes dramatic losses in both muscle and bone mass. In normal gravity, resistance exercise has been effectively used to increase muscle and bone mass. We tested a novel form of resistance exercise training using flywheel technology as a countermeasure to offset the loss of musculoskeletal mass during 4 weeks of adult rat hindlimb suspension (HS), an unloading model of microgravity. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats (6-month old) were operantly conditioned to perform resistance exercise, and then randomly assigned to groups of sedentary control (CON), HS, and HS with resistance exercise training (HSRT; 2 sets of approximately 21 repetitions, 3 days week(-1) for 4 weeks during suspension). In soleus, HS resulted in lower (P < 0.05) muscle mass to body mass ratio (approximately 50% of controls) and rates of protein synthesis. HSRT significantly attenuated the loss of muscle mass in soleus muscle, and rates of protein synthesis for soleus were similar for HSRT and controls. There were no differences among groups for mass or rates of protein synthesis in extensor digitorum longus. In cancellous regions of the distal femur, HS resulted in significant reductions of bone mineral density (BMD), but this was restored to control levels with HSRT. Cortical regions of the femur were not different among HS, HSRT or control groups. Together, these data suggest that resistance training using flywheel technology may be a promising tool to attenuate losses of the musculoskeletal system during periods of hindlimb unloading.

Sonographic evaluation of the thenar compartment musculature

The thenar region was studied with ultrasonography in 10 healthy volunteers. All thenar muscles could be identified and their course followed entirely. In addition, their function could be assessed by scanning during unresisted or resisted active movements. Standard approach, normal appearance, and dynamic tests for each muscle are described.

[Current knowledge on muscle training: endurance and strength yield complementary effects]

Both endurance and strength training are generally agreed to be necessary components of a balanced fitness programme. These two types of training are complementary; strength training improves neuromuscular function, prevents injuries, and is a prerequisite for effective endurance training. Whereas endurance training results in high energy expenditure during exercise, strength training, being associated with increased muscle mass, may result in increased energy expenditure at rest. In conjunction with endurance training, the most striking finding in skeletal muscle is its remarkable adaptability. Indeed, it is usually possible for the muscles to acquire the characteristics necessary to meet prevailing functional demands. This is true even if the demand is continuous contractile activity, 24 hours a day, week after week. The physiological effects of strength training are the result of hypertrophy of individual motor units, mostly comprising type II (fast-twitch) fibres, but are also secondary to neural changes affecting the recruitment and frequency modulation of motor units and co-ordination.

Physiological characteristics of elite judo athletes

In order to provide some understanding of the physiological capacities underlying successful judo performance, representative values for a variety of physiological variables were determined in nationally ranked male (n = 18) and female (n = 9) judo athletes. Body composition, aerobic capacity, isokinetic elbow and knee flexor and extensor strength, and muscle fiber size and composition of the vastus lateralis were examined. Comparisons across weight divisions indicate that the values of many characteristics varied as a function of size. As weight division increased, relative VO2 decreased (r = -0.53 and -0.63 for males and females, respectively), % body fat increased (r = 0.64, 0.72), and the cross sectional areas of Type I (r = 0.55, 0.77) and Type IIA (r = 0.47, = 0.76) muscle fibers increased. Among females in particular, athletes in the higher weight divisions were stronger relative to LBM than those in the lower division. These results indicate that the physiological profiles of lower and upper weight division elite judo players differ markedly. It is suggested that the factors responsible for success may be specific to each weight division and may represent a compromise between making weight and maximizing physiological capacities and performance.

Semi-automatic blood lactate assay: experiences from an exercise laboratory

A semi-automatic system based on flow injection analysis (FIA) for the transportation of small sample aliquots has been combined with fluorometric, enzymatic methods for blood lactate determination and has been described earlier. In the present study duplicate blood samples were obtained from exercising subjects to enable a comparison of lactate concentrations between neutralized and non-neutralized samples. Duplicate samples were also obtained to enable FIA lactate values to be compared to those obtained with a manual enzymatic method, and with a colorimetric method. No significant change was observed if the sample was not neutralized, enabling a more rapid sample turnover. The FIA method was reliable, with a coefficient of variation of 4.9% between duplicate blood samples. FIA lactate values were valid when compared to two other manual assays. FIA has been shown to be a rapid (60 samples x h-1) means of accurately determining blood lactate concentrations with 25 microliter blood samples and is of particular relevance to the exercise laboratory.

Recovery of the electrocorticogram of canine brains after complete cerebral ischaemia at 37 degrees and 32 degrees C

Complete cerebral ischemia was produced in totally isolated dog heads, perfused from a donor dog. The temperature of the isolated brain was kept constant before, during and after the complete ischaemia, at either 37 degrees C or 32 degrees C. At a brain temperature of 37 degrees C electrocortical potentials were found to reappear spontaneously as long as complete ischaemia did not exceed 50 min. In canine brains kept at a temperature of 32 degrees C no reappearance of spontaneous electrical activity occurred if ischaemia exceeded 100 min.

Changes in muscle metabolites in females with 30-s exhaustive exercise

The purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in selected intramuscular metabolites associated with non-oxidative energy metabolism after performance of the Wingate Test (WT), a widely used, exhaustive, 30-s cycle test of short-time muscular power. Muscle biopsies were taken from the m. vastus lateralis of nine female physical education students at rest and immediately after performance of the WT. The concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (CP), lactate, and glycogen were determined. The ATP decreased from 20.9 to 13.8; CP decreased from 62.7 to 25.1; lactate increased from 9.0 to 60.5; and glycogen decreased from 360 to 278 (all concentrations are mmol X kg-1 dry muscle). The absolute changes in CP and lactate were not as large as those reported in other exercise studies. Based on the metabolite changes, it was concluded that the WT is a satisfactory test of the maximal muscular power that can be generated from non-oxidative metabolism, but that the 30-s duration of the test probably does not tax the maximal capacity of such energy metabolism.

Increase of lipoprotein-lipase activity in skeletal muscle during heavy exercise. Relation to epinephrine excretion

As part of the training programme for Swedish elite soldiers, a 10 day march is carried out with a heavy pack under active-service conditions. Six soldiers volunteered to take part in an investigation on the energy consumption with special regard to the lipid metabolism at different levels of physical effort. The degree of physical work was evaluated by continuous heart-rate recording and analysis of the excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the urine. Fasting values of triglycerides and free fatty acids in blood plasma were determined and muscle biopsies (taken in the morning and in the afternoon) were analysed for lipoprotein-lipase (LPL) activity. After an overnight fast the free fatty acids were increased only in the mornings following days of heavy physical work. The plasma triglyceride concentrations were lowest in a morning proceeded by 3 days of heavy work. The muscle LPL activity in the morning was highest after a day of heavy work and lowest after days of rest. During days of heavy work this activity increased and was higher in the afternoon than in the morning. Muscle LPL activity in the afternoon was closely related to urinary excretion of epinephrine. The data indicate that LPL activity is elevated in the working skeletal muscle increasing the access of fatty acids. The degree of elevation is related to the degree of effort as described by the urinary excretion of morning. Muscle LPL activity in the afternoon was closely related to urinary excretion of epinephrine. The data indicate that LPL activity is elevated in the working skeletal muscle increasing the access of fatty acids. The degree of elevation is related to the degree of effort as described by the urinary excretion of morning. Muscle LPL activity in the afternoon was closely related to urinary excretion of epinephrine. The data indicate that LPL activity is elevated in the working skeletal muscle increasing the access of fatty acids. The degree of elevation is related to the degree of effort as described by the urinary excretion of epinephrine.

Relationships between leg muscle fiber type distribution and leg exercise performance

The object of the present experiments was to study the impact of muscle fiber type composition on "aerobic" and "anaerobic" performance capacities. Muscle fiber type composition was determined on biopsies from the m. vastus lateralis of 29 healthy males, consisting of sedentary subjects, physical education students, and short- and long-distance runners. The subjects performed: (a) a 30-s all-out ride on a cycle ergometer; b) a short-term (60 s), isokinetic, one-leg exercise test, (c) a 40-m sprint run; d) a 300 m run; and (e) a 2000-m run. Correlations between muscle fiber composition, expressed as % fast twitch (FT) fibers on one hand, and peak power, maximal peak torque, power decrease, and peak torque decrease in the laboratory tests were significant (P less than O.001) for the trained subjects but not for the sedentaries. Average speed during the 40-m sprint and the 2000-m run was positively (P less than 0.001) and negatively (P less than 0.001) related, respectively, to % FT in the trained subjects whereas no such correlations were present for sedentaries. It is suggested that fiber type composition in trained males is one factor contributing to ability to perform short-term as well as endurance exercise. This statement may not be true for the general population.

Muscle strength and fatigue after selective glycogen depletion in human skeletal muscle fibers

Two groups of male subjects were studied to examine the effects of different exercise protocols on performance of an isokinetic, short-time strength test, the performance of which is related to fast twitch (FT) muscle fiber recruitment. The laboratory group (LG) (n = 10) cycled (30 min, 70% VO2 max), ran (75 min), and performed repeated bouts of "sprint" cycling and rapid, maximal contractions of the quadriceps. The marathon group (MG) (n = 7) participated in and completed Stockholm's Marathon 1979. A strength test was performed before and within 1-2 h after completion of the group exercise protocol. The m. vastus lateralis was biopsied and muscle fibers classified as slow twitch (ST) or FT. After periodic acid-Schiff staining fibers were qualitatively classified as to glycogen content. In LG significant glycogen depletion occurred in both fiber types and in MG predominantly ST fibers were exhausted of glycogen after the exercise protocol. The glycogen exhaustion from both fiber types in LG was associated with impaired maximal muscular strength produced during a single dynamic contraction, as well as with reduced muscle fatigue patterns. When glycogen exhaustion was induced in ST muscle fibers only in the MG, no impairment was observed for maximal muscular strength but fatigue during 50 consecutive contractions was significantly increased.

EMG frequency spectrum, muscle structure, and fatigue during dynamic contractions in man

Fatigue of the vastus lateralis muscle was studied in healthy well-conditioned students, who differed considerable regarding their muscle fibre type distribution. Muscle force decline during repeated maximum voluntary knee extensions at a constant angular velocity (180 degree X s-1 or rad X s-1), using isokinetic equipment, was taken as the criterion for the degree of fatigue. In an attempt to study quantitative as well as qualitative changes in the EMG pattern, integrated EMG (IEMG) and the frequency of the mean power (MPF), computed from the power spectral density function (PSDF), were analysed. It was found that individuals with muscles made up of a high proportion of fast twitch (FT) muscle fibres demonstrated higher peak knee extension torque, and a greater susceptibility to fatigue than did individuals with muscles mainly composed of slow twitch (ST) muscle fibres. An IEMG decline (p less than 0.01) was demonstrated during 100 contractions in individuals rich in FT fibres. Only a slight, but not significant, reduction in IEMG occurred in individuals with high percentage of ST fibres. Concomitantly, MPF decreased (p less than 0.001) in individuals with a high percentage of FT fibres, while their opposites demonstrated only a slight decrease (non-significant). It is suggested that muscle conctraction failure might also be related to qualitative changes in the motor unit recruitment pattern, and that these changes occur more rapidly in muscles composed of a high proportion of FT muscle fibres than in muscles composed to a high proportion of ST fibres.

Central and peripheral circulation in relation to muscle-fibre composition in normo- and hyper-tensive man

1. Fibre composition in the vastus lateralis muscle, and blood pressure, were determined in age-matched normotensive (n = 22) subjects and previously untreated patients (n = 19) with essential hypertension. 2. In all subjects the muscle fibres were classified, as fast-twitch (FT) and slow-twitch (ST), and blood pressure was recorded. Eleven patients and seven of the normotensive subjects participated in an extended haemodynamic study with intra-arterial pressure measurements and determinations of leg blood flow. 3. In both normo- and hyper-tensive subjects, ambulant and intra-arterial blood pressure and leg vascular resistance were negatively correlated to the percentage of ST fibres; no significant correlation was found to total leg blood flow. 4. The findings show that muscles with a high proportion of FT fibres have a higher resistance than muscles rich in ST fibres and suggest that the type of fibre in skeletal muscle might be of importance for the development of the hypertensive disease.

Muscle fatigue and its relation to lactate accumulation and LDH activity in man

The lactate concentration in different muscle fibre types was determined in biopsy specimens from human vastus lateralis muscle after 30 and 60 s of maximal dynamic leg exercise. In addition, muscle fibre type distribution, total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and isozymes of LDH were determined. In accordance with previous studies (Thorstensson and Karlsson 1976, Nilsson et al. 1977) it was found that an increasing proportion of slow twitch (ST) fibres corresponded to better sustained muscle force. Lactate was found preferentially in fast twitch (FT) fibres after 30 s, but after 60 s this difference was abolished. Differences between the two main muscle fibre types in muscle lactate, total LDH activity, and M-LDH activity were correlated to muscle fatigue. It was concluded that lactate or associated pH changes primarily in FT fibres could be one factor responsible for the impaired muscle function.

Relationship between lactate accumulation, LDH activity, LDH isozyme and fibre type distribution in human skeletal muscle

Lactate concentration, total LDH activity and muscle-specific LDH isozymes were determined in pools of the two main types of human skeletal muscle fibres. Analyses were made from biopsy specimens obtained after intense dynamic exercise lasting approximately 30 s. Lactate concentration, total LDH activity and muscle-specific LDH activity displayed higher average values for FT (fast twitch) fibres than for ST (slow twitch) fibres. In addition, positive correlations were found both between the individual percentage of FT fibres and muscle lactate concentration and between lactate concentration and total LDH activity and muscle-specific LDH activity respectively.

Isometric strength performance and muscle fibre type distribution in man

Maximal isometric one-leg strength (MIS) was determined in 31 physical education students displaying a wide range in muscle fibre type distribution (21-79% fast twitch (FT) muscle fibres) in their vastus lateralis muscles. A linear positive correlation was found between MIS and the relative distribution of FT fibres (p less than 0.001). This should mean that not only muscle mass involved but also the quality of muscle will be decisive for the ability to develop high isometric strength.

Fatigue and EMG of repeated fast voluntary contractions in man

A fatigue test consisting of repeated fast maximal contractions of the left quadriceps muscle in an isokinetic apparatus was performed by 12 healthy male subjects (19-25 yrs). EMG signals recorded from the surface of the left vastus lateralis muscle, from which also biopsies were obtained for muscle fibre classification. Only minor changes were observed in the EMG variables despite a decrease in muscle strength performance, in terms of peak torque, work and power to about 50% of initial values after 100 contractions. The concomitantly obtained positive correlation between the increase in EMG/torque ratio and the individual percentage of fast twitch (FT) muscle fibres indicated that local factors in the muscle, primarily in FT fibres, were causing the development of fatigue during repeated dynamic contractions with high power outputs.

Lactate in fast and slow twitch skeletal muscle fibres of man during isometric contraction

Concentration of lactate in fast and slow twitch fibres, respectively, were determined in m. quadriceps femoris after sustained contractions at 25%, 50%, and 75% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) until exhaustion as well as after interrupted exercises at 25% and 50% MVC. Maximal lactate concentrations were only found at 50% of MVC performed to exhaustion. Lactate concentration was higher in slow twitch (ST) fibres at 50% MVC compared to in ST fibres at 25% MVC, and higher in fast twitch (FT) fibres at 50% MVC compared to in FT fibres at 75% MVC. After short time isometric exercise (i.e. 75% to exhaustion and 50% and 25% performed for the same period of time as 75% MVC) lactate concentration, expressed as lactate ratio (lactate concentration in FT fibres/lactate concentration in ST fibres) was found to be positively correlated to percent FT fibres (r=0.89). Lactate ratio ranged 0.5-2.0, i.e. at onset of isometric exercise, lactate concentration increase was faster in ST fibres in the muscle rich in ST fibres and faster in FT fibres when the muscle wasrich in FT fibres.

Actomyosin ATPase, myokinase, CPK and LDH in human fast and slow twitch muscle fibres

The enzyme activities of Mg2+ stimulated ATPase, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), myokinase (MK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in pooled fast twitch (FT) and slow twitch (ST) human skeletal muscle fibers, dissected out from freeze-dried muscle biopsy material. All enzymes investigated demonstrated higher activities in FT fibres. The ratio in enzyme activity between fibre types was greatest for Mg2+ stimulated ATPase (3:1) and smallest for CPK (1.3:1). In addition, the isozyme patterns of CPK, MK and LDH were studied by means of isoelectric focusing (CPK and MK) and discelectrophoresis (LDH). A difference was observed between fibre types with respect to the isozyme distribution of MK and LDH, whereas the CPK isozyme pattern was similar in both fibre types. These results on separated human FT and ST fibres were essentially in conformity with what has earlier been indicated from experiments on mixed muscle homogenates.