Changes in fascicle length from rest to maximal voluntary contraction affect the assessment of voluntary activation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the differences between the actual fascicle length during a voluntary contraction and the fascicle length at rest of the triceps surae muscle on the determination of the voluntary activation (VA) by using the interpolated twitch technique. Twelve participants performed isometric voluntary maximal (MVC) and submaximal (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVC) contractions at two different ankle angles (75° and 90°) under application of the interpolated twitch technique. Two ultrasound probes were used to determine the fascicle length of soleus, gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles. Further, the MVCs and the twitches were repeated for six more ankle angles (85°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110° and 115°). The VA of the triceps surae muscle were calculated (a) using the rest twitch force (RTF) measured during the same trial as the interpolated twitch force (ITF; traditional method) and (b) using the RTF at an ankle angle where the fascicle length showed similar values between ITF and RTF (fascicle length consideration method). The continuous changes in fascicle length from rest to MVC affect the accuracy of the assessment of the VA. The traditional method overestimates the assessment of the VA on average 4% to 12%, especially at 90° ankle angle (i.e. short muscle length). The reason for this influence is the unequal force–length potential of the muscle at twitch application by the measure of ITF and RTF. These findings provide evidence that the fascicle length consideration method permits a more precise prediction (an improvement of 4–12%) of the voluntary contraction compared to the traditional method.