Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of antagonist maximum voluntary isometric contraction on the torque and the rate of torque development of the agonist muscles in ankle joint in trained and untrained women at 0° angle joint. Twelve untrained and twelve trained women handball player participated in the study. An isokinetic dynamometer CYBEX Norm was used for the evaluation of torque. Initially the Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) both for plantar(PF) and dorsi flexors(DF) was evaluated. Afterwards the subjects performed 3 maximal isometric contractions of plantar flexor for 1 second, with 1 minute break between trials. After 10 minutes complete rest, 3 consecutive maximal dorsiflexion contractions and immediately after that three maximal PF contraction were performed for the evaluation of the reversal effect DF on PF. The following parameters were evaluated before and after DF contraction: Plantar flexion MVIC, Maximal Rate of Torque Development (MRTD), time of MRTD and the RTD for the period 0-30, 0-50, 0-100 and 0-200 ms after the torque onset. The statistical analysis showed that the reversal effect was presented only for the trained group for the MRTD and RTD 0-30. These results demonstrated that the existence of the reversal effect of the antagonists is not appeared always in untrained groups and especially for the joint angle it is affected by the training background only for selective parameters of muscle contraction.
Highlights
The Rate of Torque Development (RTD) shows the change of torque in time, from the onset of torque to the time of appearance of the maximum isometric torque
Kabat (1952), based on Sherrington’s concept (1947), introduced the idea of Reversal of the Antagonist (REV), pretending that elementary reflexes interact to trigger a more complex process to coordinate agonist and antagonist action. This could be the explanation about the relation between REV and Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) function because when a muscle is contracted inhibits the function of agonist muscle and facilitates the antagonist, through Ib afferent
Statistical analysis showed a tendency for a reversal effect on Maximal Rate of Torque Development (MRTD) this effect was not significant (p > 0.05)
Summary
The Rate of Torque Development (RTD) shows the change of torque in time, from the onset of torque to the time of appearance of the maximum isometric torque These two parameters can be affected both by motor neurons and muscular parameters (Andersen &Aagaard, 2006). Grabiner(1994) suggested that the RTD can be positively affected during a maximal isometric contraction preceded by a contraction of the antagonist muscle This phenomenon is called Reversal of the Antagonist (REV). Kabat (1952), based on Sherrington’s concept (1947), introduced the idea of REV, pretending that elementary reflexes interact to trigger a more complex process to coordinate agonist and antagonist action This could be the explanation about the relation between REV and Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) function because when a muscle is contracted inhibits the function of agonist muscle and facilitates the antagonist, through Ib afferent. This was not always the case for the healthy people, where in other cases positive effect (Kamimura, 2007; Kamimura, et al 2009; Roy et al, 1990) while in others no effect (Bohannon, Gibson, & Larkin, 1986) was reported
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