Fatigue-related changes in discharge patterns of motor units in the inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle in humans

Abstract

To investigate single motor unit (SMU) firing patterns of the inferior head of the human lateral pterygoid muscle (IHLP) during sustained isometric contractions, and to examine IHLP fatigability. In 5 subjects, EMG was recorded from the right IHLP during generation of horizontal isometric mandibular force towards left side. Subjects tracked a target on an oscilloscope, slowly increasing the force to 25% of maximum voluntary contraction, and then maintained that force for 120 s (endurance task). Subjects rested for 30 s after each test, and three 10s recovery tests were performed every 30 s (recovery task). Fatigue data were obtained from 23 SMUs. Twelve of 23 SMUs (52.2%) continued to fire throughout the 120 s, and each subject had at least one of these units. These units were classified as tonic pattern (T-unit). The firing rate of 6 of the 12 T-units (50.0%) decreased gradually with time. Comparison of the mean firing rate and coefficient of variance (CV) of interspike interval (ISI) of the 12 T-units between pre-fatigue, post-fatigue and the three recovery tasks showed that the mean firing rate decreased and CV of ISI increased after fatigue. Mean firing rate and CV of ISI recovered after 30 s of rest after the endurance task. The firing patterns of IHLP units changed with the passing of time during sustained isometric contractions leading to fatigue.