Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of stochastic resonance (SR) stimulation on sensorimotor performance during an episode of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Thirty four men (age: 21.3 (±2.6) years; height 1.78 (±0.06) m; body mass 72.3 (±7.4) kg (mean (±SD)) gave their informed consent to participate in this study.Sensorimotor performance (error in replicating a target force) of the knee flexors was assessed prior to, and at 0.5 and 48 h after (i) a treatment condition involving a single-leg EIMD conditioning of the non-preferred leg, with concomitant responses to (ii) randomised presentation of SR, no SR and placebo conditions. Results showed a significant ANOVA interaction for sensorimotor performance amongst factors of condition (control period; EIMD), time (pre; post 0.5 h; post 48 h) and stimuli (SR; no SR; placebo) (F[1.5,29.3] = 5.7; p < 0.01). While scores during an antecedent control period had remained relatively constant, the EIMD protocol had elicited increased error in replicating a target force for the knee flexors of the non-preferred leg over time (worsened sensorimotor performance) that had been most prominent at 48 h after exercise, but whose negative effects had been ameliorated under conditions of SR (5.6 ± 3.1% (no SR) versus 3.7 ± 2.3% (SR) (pre) and 10.3 ± 4.2% (no SR) versus 8.1 ± 5.1% (SR) (48 h), respectively; F[1,36] = 6.0; p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study has shown that SR conditioning-related increases in the sensorimotor performance of the hamstring muscle group led to some protection from performance loss following EIMD.
Highlights
Unaccustomed eccentric exercise results in skeletal muscle damage in humans [1,2]
Impairment to skeletal muscle function following exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) and during prolonged exposure to eccentric contractions is associated with symptoms that include delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), loss of flexibility [3], altered neuromuscular and sensorimotor performance [4,5,6] and may contribute to lower limb injuries during sporting activities
Pre-planned difference comparisons amongst levels of factors suggested that while scores during the antecedent control period had remained relatively constant, the EIMD protocol had elicited increased force error (FE) for the knee flexors of the non-preferred leg over time that had been most prominent at 48 h after exercise, but whose negative effects had been ameliorated under conditions of stochastic resonance (SR) (5.6 ± 3.1% versus 3.7 ± 2.3% (SR) and 10.3 ± 4.2% versus 8.1 ± 5.1% (SR) (48 h), respectively; F[1,36] = 6.0; p < 0.01; Please see Figure 2)
Summary
Impairment to skeletal muscle function following exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) and during prolonged exposure to eccentric contractions is associated with symptoms that include delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), loss of flexibility [3], altered neuromuscular and sensorimotor performance [4,5,6] and may contribute to lower limb injuries during sporting activities. Mechanisms underpinning EIMD-related derangement of sensorimotor performance in which subjects consistently undershoot target forces and incorrectly estimate joint angles [5,10], include alteration to peripheral mechanoreceptor sensitivity, changes in muscle spindle signaling and reflex sensitivity [1,4], and alteration to central methods of processing and perceptual sense of effort [11,12]
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