Maximal Voluntary Contraction Level Research Articles

Altered central nervous system signal during motor performance in chronic fatigue syndrome

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether brain activity of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients during voluntary motor actions differs from that of healthy individuals. Methods: Eight CFS patients and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers performed isometric handgrip contractions at 50% maximal voluntary contraction level. They first performed 50 contractions with a 10 s rest between adjacent trials—‘Non-Fatigue’ (NFT) task. Subsequently, the same number of contractions was performed with only a 5 s rest between trials—‘Fatigue’ (FT) task. Fifty-eight channels of surface EEG were recorded simultaneously from the scalp. Spectrum analysis was performed to estimate power of EEG frequency in different tasks. Motor activity-related cortical potential (MRCP) was derived by triggered averaging of EEG signals associated with the muscle contractions. Results: Major findings include: (i) Motor performance of the CFS patients was poorer than the controls. (ii) Relative power of EEG theta frequency band (4–8 Hz) during performing the NFT and FT tasks was significantly greater in the CFS than control group ( P<0.05). (iii) The amplitude of MRCP negative potential (NP) for the combined NFT and FT tasks was higher in the CFS than control group ( P<0.05). (iv) Within the CFS group, the NP was greater for the FT than NFT task ( P<0.01), whereas no such difference between the two tasks was found in the control group. Conclusions: These results clearly show that CFS involves altered central nervous system signals in controlling voluntary muscle activities, especially when the activities induce fatigue. Significance: Physical activity-induced EEG signal changes may serve as physiological markers for more objective diagnosis of CFS.

Evaluation of proximal tooth contact tightness at rest and during clenching.

The aims of this study were to develop a device for measuring the tightness of proximal tooth contact and to evaluate the proximal contact tightness using this device at rest and during clenching. Twenty young adult volunteers with healthy dentition participated in this experiment. The tightness of proximal tooth contact between the second premolar and the first molar of both the maxilla and the mandible was measured by pulling a stainless steel strip between them at rest, and at 20 and 50% clenching levels of maximum voluntary contraction of masseter muscles at intercuspal position. Proximal contact tightness increased as the clenching levels of both the maxilla and the mandible increased. At rest, proximal contact tightness was less in the maxilla than in the mandible, whereas during clenching it was less in the mandible. These results indicate that during clenching, the teeth are displaced and they contact appropriately with adjacent teeth, making it possible to exert sufficient occlusal force while maintaining the integrity of dental arches.

Can continuous physical training counteract aging effect on myoelectric fatigue? A surface electromyography study application

Casale R, Rainoldi A, Nilsson J, Bellotti P. Can continuous physical training counteract aging effect on myoelectric fatigue? A surface electromyography study application. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:513-7. Objectives: To compare the myoelectric onset of muscle fatigue in physically active trained young skiers with respect to elderly skiers and to test whether continuous training can counteract the selective loss of type II muscle fibers usually observed with aging. Design: An observational, cross-sectional study of the myoelectric onset of muscle fatigue in the left tibialis anterior muscles. Setting: Surface electromyography recorded with portable devices at a downhill ski rescue lodge in the Italian Alps. Participants: Fifty-four physically trained, active skiers (43 men, 11 women; age range, 24-85y). Interventions: Questionnaire on physical activity and 2 sustained isometric voluntary contractions at 20% and 2 at 80% of the maximal voluntary contraction level. Main Outcome Measures: Isometric contractions and mean and median spectral frequencies calculated to monitor the myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue. Results: Fatigue indices did not differ significantly between younger and older subjects and, thus, did not show a correlation between myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue and age in physically active subjects. Conclusion: It appears possible that aging skeletal muscles subjected to continuous exercise develop an adaptive response that counteracts the selective loss of type II muscle fibers usually observed in the muscles of elderly sedentary subjects. Our results suggest that physical activity could be considered in the elderly within a broad rehabilitative framework in which appropriate and even tailored physical training could be planned to counteract the physiologic effects of aging on muscle fiber distribution.

Agonist–antagonist common drive during fatiguing knee extension efforts using surface electromyography

Aim. This study examined the electromyographic (EMG) activity of knee extensor agonists and a knee extensor antagonist muscle during fatiguing isometric extensions across a range of force levels. Methods. Five female subjects performed isometric knee extensions at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with the knee flexed to 75°. Surface EMG (SEMG) was recorded with bipolar electrodes from the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) and the root-mean-squared (RMS) amplitude and the percentage frequency compression of these recordings were calculated. Commonality and cross talk between recordings were also examined. Results. Cross talk between recordings was deemed negligible despite significant levels of commonality between the agonist and antagonist SEMG, which was attributed to common drive. SEMG RMS amplitude increased significantly for all muscles during the 25%, 50%, 75% MVC knee extensions until task failure, and decreased significantly for 100% MVC. The frequency spectrum of the SEMG compressed significantly for all muscles and % MVC levels. The VM, VL and BF SEMG recordings responded similarly to fatigue. The RF’s frequency spectrum compressed to a significantly higher degree. Conclusions. The VM, VL, RF, and BF fatigue in parallel, with high similarity between VM, VL and BF, giving support to the concept of a shared agonist-antagonist motoneuron pool.

Repeatability of surface EMG variables in the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles.

In this study we examined the repeatability and reliability of the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal mean frequency (MNF), average rectified value (ARV) and conduction velocity (CV) measured for the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and the anterior scalene (AS) muscles in nine healthy volunteers during 15-s isometric cervical flexion contractions at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction level over 3 non-consecutive days. Repeatability and reliability estimates were obtained for the initial values and rates of change of each sEMG variable by using both the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the normalised standard error of the mean (nSEM). Results from SCM indicated good levels of repeatability for the initial value and slope of ARV (ICC>65%). For the AS, high levels of repeatability were identified for the initial value of MNF (ICC>70%) and the slope of ARV (ICC>75%). Values of nSEM in the range 2.8-7.2% were obtained for the initial values of MNF and CV for both SCM and AS, indicating clinically acceptable measurement precision. The low value obtained for the nSEM of the initial value of MNF for the AS, in combination with the high ICC, indicates that of all of the variables examined, this variable could offer the best normative index to distinguish between subjects with and without neck pain, and represents the sEMG variable of choice for future evaluation purposes.

Variation in masticatory muscle activity during subsequent, submaximal clenching efforts.

In previous studies to the relative contribution of the jaw closing muscles to the maintenance of submaximal clenching levels, a considerable variation in the electromyography (EMG) activities of these muscles during subsequent efforts was found. In this study, it was examined to what extent this variation could be explained by coincidental variations in mandibular positioning. From seven healthy individuals, a total of 90 EMG sweeps was recorded: three conditions (intercuspal position and two types of stabilization appliances) x three clenching levels (10, 30 and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction level) x 10 repetitions. Mandibular position was monitored with a six degrees of freedom opto-electronic jaw movement recording system. Variations in mandibular positioning during subsequent, submaximal clenching efforts explained up to 25% of the variance in the indices that quantify the relative contribution of the jaw closing muscles to the total clenching effort (P=0.000; ANOVA). Only a weak dependency of positioning upon clenching condition was found whereas during higher clenching levels, the positioning effect tended to be smaller than during lower levels. In conclusion small, coincidental variations in mandibular positioning during subsequent clenching efforts partly explain the variance in EMG activity of jaw closing muscles, especially at lower clenching levels.

Assessment of postexercise muscle soreness by electromyography and mechanomyography

Mechanomyography (MMG) and electromyography (EMG) recordings from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand were compared for pre-exercise and immediately after, 24-hour, and 48-hour postexercise muscle soreness. Thirteen healthy male subjects performed progressively increasing number of eccentric contractions from bout 1 (10.34 ± 1.96) to bout 6 (27.46 ± 5.01) (P <.03) with 116% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for provocation of postexercise muscle soreness. Increased areas of pain, reduced pressure pain threshold, reduced MVC, and reduced range of motion were present immediately after as compared with pre-exercise (P <.05). During intense eccentric exercise, root mean squared amplitude values of MMG increased progressively from bout 1 to bout 6, but EMG root mean squared amplitude decreased as the muscle fatigued (P <.05). Time course changes of MMG and EMG root mean squared amplitude values during single concentric, isometric, and eccentric contractions at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% MVC weights were measured in relation to postexercise muscle soreness. The EMG root mean squared amplitude values showed insignificant changes for concentric, isometric, and eccentric contractions between pre-exercise, immediately after, 24 hours, and 48 hours. MMG root mean squared amplitude values increased during concentric, isometric, and eccentric contractions at immediately after as compared to pre-exercise, 24 hours, and 48 hours. At immediately after, 24 hours, and 48 hours the maximum EMG root mean squared amplitude values were achieved at lower MVC levels as compared with pre-exercise (P <.05). MMG root mean squared amplitude findings suggest changes in viscoelastic properties resulting in significant mechanical muscle vibrations after intense eccentric exercise. This may suggest a role of stimulation of mechanosensitive nociceptors in relation to postexercise muscle soreness. It is concluded that simultaneous recordings of MMG and EMG may serve as an appropriate means of studying the relationship between electrical and mechanical muscle activity occurring with postexercise muscle soreness. © 2002 by the American Pain Society

Repeatability of maximal voluntary force and of surface EMG variables during voluntary isometric contraction of quadriceps muscles in healthy subjects

The repeatability of initial values and rate of change of EMG signal mean spectral frequency (MNF), average rectified values (ARV), muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was investigated in the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles of both legs of nine healthy male subjects during voluntary, isometric contractions sustained for 50 s at 50% MVC. The values of MVC were recorded for both legs three times on each day and for three subsequent days, while the EMG signals have been recorded twice a day for three subsequent days. The degree of repeatability was investigated using the Fisher test based upon the ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA), the Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Data collected showed a high level of repeatability of MVC measurement (normalized SEM from 1.1% to 6.4% of the mean). MNF and ARV initial values also showed a high level of repeatability (ICC>70% for all muscles and legs except right VMO). At 50% MVC level no relevant pattern of fatigue was observed for the VMO and VL muscles, suggesting that other portions of the quadriceps might have contributed to the generated effort. These observations seem to suggest that in the investigation of muscles belonging to a multi-muscular group at submaximal level, the more selective electrically elicited contractions should be preferred to voluntary contractions.

Sensorimotor adaptations to microgravity in humans.

Motor function is altered by microgravity, but little detail is available as to what these changes are and how changes in the individual components of the sensorimotor system affect the control of movement. Further, there is little information on whether the changes in motor performance reflect immediate or chronic adaptations to changing gravitational environments. To determine the effects of microgravity on the neural control properties of selected motor pools, four male astronauts from the NASA STS-78 mission performed motor tasks requiring the maintenance of either ankle dorsiflexor or plantarflexor torque. Torques of 10 or 50% of a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were requested of the subjects during 10 degrees peak-to-peak sinusoidal movements at 0.5 Hz. When 10% MVC of the plantarflexors was requested, the actual torques generated in-flight were similar to pre-flight values. Post-flight torques were higher than pre- and in-flight torques. The actual torques when 50% MVC was requested were higher in- and post-flight than pre-flight. Soleus (Sol) electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes during plantarflexion were higher in-flight than pre- or post-flight for both the 10 and 50% MVC tasks. No differences in medial gastrocnemius (MG) EMG amplitudes were observed for either the 10 or 50% MVC tasks. The EMG amplitudes of the tibialis anterior (TA), an antagonist to plantarflexion, were higher in- and post-flight than pre-flight for the 50% MVC task. During the dorsiflexion tasks, the torques generated in both the 10 and 50% MVC tasks did not differ pre-, in- and post-flight. TA EMG amplitudes were significantly higher in- than pre-flight for both the 10 or 50% MVC tasks, and remained elevated post-flight for the 50% MVC test. Both the Sol and MG EMG amplitudes were significantly higher in-flight than either pre- or post-flight for both the 10 and 50% MVC tests. These data suggest that the most consistent response to space flight was an elevation in the level of contractions of agonists and antagonists when attempting to maintain constant torques at a given level of MVC. Also, the chronic levels of EMG activity in selected ankle flexor and extensor muscles during space flight and during routine activities on Earth were recorded. Compared with pre- and post-flight values, there was a marked increase in the total EMG activity of the TA and the Sol and no change in the MG EMG activity in-flight. These data indicate that space flight, as occurs on shuttle missions, is a model of elevated activation of both flexor and extensor muscles, probably reflecting the effects of programmed work schedules in flight rather than a direct effect of microgravity.

Changes in surface EMG and acoustic myogram parameters during static fatiguing contractions until exhaustion: influence of elbow joint angles.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle fatigue using electromyogram (EMG) and acoustic myogram (AMG) signals of the shoulder and arm muscles during sustained holding tasks, with the elbow at different angles and at different levels of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The EMG and AMG of four muscles, including the upper trapezius (TP), anterior deltoid (DL), biceps brachii (BB), and brachioradialis (BR), were recorded during experiments using 10 healthy young males. The experiments were conducted under 9 pairs of conditions: 3 elbow angles (120 degrees, 90 degrees, and 60 degrees) and *3 levels of %MVC (20%, 40%, and 60%). Subjects were instructed to hold a weight equal to the designated %MVC at designated joint angles and asked to maintain that condition for as long as possible until exhaustion. Joint angles were also recorded by the electrogoniometers. The analysis of variance revealed that there was no significant effect of elbow angle on the mean MVC or on the endurance time. Elbow angle showed a significant effect on mean power frequency (MPF) of EMG in DL, BB, and BR, and a significant effect on root mean square (RMS) of EMG in four muscles. In BB and BR, MPF of EMG at 120 degrees was found to be significantly lower than 90 degrees and 60 degrees, respectively. There was a significant main effect of elbow angle on MPF of AMG for TP at 20% MVC; for DL at 20% and 40% MVC; for BB at 40% and 60% MVC; and for BR at the three levels of %MVC. The results showed that the range MPF of AMG for DL, BB, and BR was between 32 to 46 Hz, whereas that for TP was from 49 to 83 Hz. There was a significant effect of elbow angle on RMS of AMG in all four muscles in all experiments. At 20% MVC, a progressive increase in RMS of AMG was observed with time. In contrast, at 40% and 60% MVC, RMS showed very different behavior; specifically, it was found that RMS of AMG at 20% MVC significantly increased with increase of elbow angle. We conclude that RMS of AMG has a good and clear correlation with elbow angle at a low level of contraction.

Influence of alteration of occlusal relationship on activity of jaw closing muscles and mandibular movement during submaximal clenching.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between occlusal contacts, responses of muscles, and jaw movements during simulated clenching. Seven healthy human males who possessed complete natural dental arches with normal occlusion, ranging from 24 to 29 years of age, volunteered for this study. Acrylic occlusal stops were fabricated for the lower jaw to simulate various occlusal conditions. Vertical movements of the lower jaw were measured by four sets of linear variable differential transformers. Simultaneously, electromyographic (EMG) activity from the bilateral masseter and anterior temporal muscles was measured. Under experimentally altered occlusal conditions, the subjects performed clenching tasks at 50% of their maximal voluntary contraction level. Analysis of EMG responses revealed clenching on the unilateral occlusal support tended to cause a unilateral activity of the ipsilateral anterior temporalis. Analysis of the movement amplitude revealed a significant difference between the experimental occlusal conditions (P < 0.05). Clenching on unilateral occlusal stops caused a larger upward movement on the contralateral side. Bilateral first premolar clenching without molar support caused a larger upward movement of the mandible in the posterior region, whereas bilateral second molar clenching did not cause a significant upward movement.

Cardiorespiratory responses to fatiguing dynamic and isometric hand-grip exercise.

In occupational work, continuous repetitive and isometric actions performed with the upper extremity primarily cause local muscle strain and musculoskeletal disorders. They may also have some adverse effects on the cardiorespiratory system, particularly, through the elevation of blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to compare peak cardiorespiratory responses to fatiguing dynamic and isometric hand-grip exercise. The subjects were 21 untrained healthy men aged 24-45 years. The dynamic hand-grip exercise (DHGE) was performed using the left hand-grip muscles at the 57 (SD 4)% level of each individual's maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with a frequency of 51 (SD 4) grips x min(-1). The isometric hand-grip exercise (IHGE) was done using the right hand at 46 (SD 3)% of the MVC. The endurance time, ventilatory gas exchange, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured during both kinds of exercise. The mean endurance times for DHGE and IHGE were different, 170 (SD 62) and 99 (SD 27) s, respectively (P < 0.001). During DHGE the mean peak values of the breathing frequency [20 (SD 6) breaths x min(-1)] and tidal volume [0.89 (SD 0.34) l] differed significantly (P < 0.01) from peak values obtained during IHGE [15 (SD 5) breaths x min(-1) and 1.14 (SD 0.32) l, respectively]. The corresponding peak oxygen consumptions, pulmonary ventilations, HR and systolic blood pressures did not differ, and were 0.51 (SD 0.06) and 0.46 (SD 0.11) l x min(-1), 17.1 (SD 3.0) and 16.7 (SD 4.7) l x min(-1), 103 (SD 18) and 102 (SD 17) beats x min(-1), and 156 (SD 17) and 161 (SD 17) mmHg, respectively. The endurance times of both DHGE and IHGE were short (< 240 s). The results indicate that the peak responses for the ventilatory gas exchange, HR and blood pressure were similar during fatiguing DHGE and IHGE, whereas the breathing patterns differed significantly between the two types of exercise. The present findings emphasize the importance of following ergonomic design principles in occupational settings which aim to reduce the output of force, particularly in tasks requiring isometric and/or one-sided repetitive muscle actions.

Lumbar erector spinae oxygenation during prolonged contractions: implications for prolonged work

Owing to the recent interest in torso stabilization exercises together with many questions regarding the duration of prolonged isometric holds in occupational settings, the authors attempted to assess the level of back muscle oxygenation during prolonged isometric contractions. Specifically, this study recorded relative oxygen saturation of haemoglobin/myoglobin using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in the L3 erector mass during prolonged isometric contractions at intensities from 2 to 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). It was hypothesized that available oxygen to these muscles is severely compromised even at moderate levels of activation observed in occupational work. Eight volunteers without a history of lower back pain or injury participated in this study. The exercise task involved isometric contraction of the lower erector spinae at five different levels of each subject's maximal voluntary contraction: 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30% MVC, presented in random order. Subjects were placed in a sitting position, with a curved plastic plate secured horizontally to the pelvis to minimize movement at the hip joint. During extensor exertions, they were restrained with a harness that was attached at chest level to a load cell. Each isometric contraction was performed for 30 s followed by 1 min of rest. All levels of contraction demonstrated reduction in oxygen. Given the concern for motion artefact on the NIRS signal, sham trials were conducted where the subjects went through the procedure of attaching the pulling cable but no active pull was performed. These trials showed no change in the NIRS signal. At this time NIRS appears to be the only non-invasive instrumentation available to indicate total available muscle oxygen during low level, prolonged work. Although the specific tissue volume sampled by NIRS cannot be positively identified, it appears that tissue oxygenation in the lumbar extensor musculature is reduced as a function of contraction intensity, even at levels as low as 2% of MVC. These data have implications for prolonged work where postures requiring isometric contractions are sometimes held for hours, and where musculoskeletal illness has been linked to prolonged contraction levels above 2% MVC—these data suggest a possible biological pathway.

Influence of clenching level on intercuspal contact area in various regions of the dental arch

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the clenching level and the intercuspal contact area in different regions of the dental arch. Twenty-five healthy subjects with natural normal dentitions and good occlusal support performed clenching tasks in the intercuspal position at four different levels (10, 30, 70 and 100% levels of maximum voluntary contraction) through EMG visual feedback from bilateral masseter and anterior temporal muscles. Simultaneously, the occlusal contacts were recorded with a silicone occlusal contact checking material (Black Silicone, GC Dental Industrial Corp., Tokyo, Japan). The occlusal records were analysed by an image analyser. Every area of the thickness less than 50 microm was determined to be an occlusal contact area. The occlusal contact areas on the anterior teeth (incisors and canines), the premolars (first and second premolars) and the molars (first and second molars) were calculated separately. The posterior occlusal contact area increased with an increase in the clenching levels but that of the anterior did not. The results of this study indicate that the increase in clenching forces affects the anterior and posterior occlusal contact areas differently.

Dynamic force responses in electrically stimulated triceps surae muscles: effects of fatigue and temperature.

To elicit dynamic force responses (unfused tetani) in isometric triceps surae muscles, low frequency electrical stimulation ranging from 12.5 to 30.0 Hz was applied. The fusing frequency (FF) and the relative dynamic force amplitude (DF) at the 20% and 40% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) levels were calculated as parameters to determine effects of muscle fatigue (n = 6) and local muscle cooling. In the fatigued muscle (15 min plantar flexion at a 20% MVC level), the FF and DF increased when the fatigue was induced by voluntary contraction (FF increased from 19.6 to 22.5 Hz at 20% MVC) and also when induced by electrical stimulation (FF increased from 19.2 to 23.3 Hz). Cooling of the muscles showed an inverse effect on both parameters, indicating contractile slowing. The responsible physiological mechanisms as well as practical applications, using low frequency stimulation to monitor degenerative changes in muscles, are discussed.

Repeatability of surface EMG variables during voluntary isometric contractions of the biceps brachii muscle

The repeatability of initial value and rate of change of mean spectral frequency (MNF), average rectified values (ARV) and muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) was investigated in the dominant biceps brachii of ten normal subjects during sustained isometric voluntary contractions. Four levels of contraction were studied: 10%, 30%, 50% and 70% of the maximal voluntary contraction level (MVC). Each contraction was repeated three times in each of three different days for a total of nine contractions/level/subject and 90 contractions per level across the ten subjects. Repeatability was investigated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of the mean (SEM) of the estimates for each subject. Contrary to observations in other muscles, CV estimates appeared to be very repeatable both within and between subjects. CV showed a small but significant increase when contraction force increased from 10% to 50% MVC but no change for further increase of force. As force increased, MNF showed a slight decrease possibly related to a wider spreading of the CV values. The rate of time decrement of MNF and CV increased with the level of contraction. The normalized decrement (% of initial value per second) was in general higher for MNF than for CV and was more repeatable between subjects at 10% MVC than at 70% MVC. A final observation is that a resting time of 5 minutes may not be sufficient after a contraction at 50% or 70% MVC.

The Measurement of Sensitivity of Numerical Parameters in Quantification of Local Muscle Fatigue

In order to find the most sensitive Electromyographic (EMG) parameter in quantification of local muscle fatigue (LMF), the first coefficient of Autoregression Model (ARC), Zero Crossing Rate (ZCR), Mean Power Frequency (MPF), Median Frequency (MF) have been analyzed and compared with each other in this study. Ten healthy male subjects participated in the experiment, and EMG signals were collected from the erector spinae muscle continuously for twenty seconds while subjects were isometrically extending their trunk. Various exertion levels such as 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% of Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC) were also applied to the subjects. As results, ARC was found to be the most sensitive parameter at the level of 15% to 60% of MVC in terms of both slope and R2 value of regression model. On the other hand, MPF and ARC showed the highest R2 value at 60% and 75% level of MVC although MPF scored the lowest slope value at those levels. Moreover, MPF showed a superior performance to MF at 30% to 75% level of MVC.

Heart rate and blood pressure responses to isometric exercise in young and older men

The aim of this study was to examine the isometric endurance response and the heart rate and blood pressure responses to isometric exercise in two muscle groups in ten young (age 23-29 years) and seven older (age 54-59 years) physically active men with similar estimated forearm and thigh muscle masses. Isometric contractions were held until fatigue using the finger flexor muscles (handgrip) and with the quadriceps muscle (one-legged knee extension) at 20%, 40%, and 60% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Heart rate and arterial pressure were related to the the individual's contraction times. The isometric endurance response was longer with handgrip than with one-legged knee extension, but no significant difference was observed between the age groups. The isometric endurance response averaged 542 (SEM 57), 153 (SEM 14), and 59 (SEM 5) s for the handgrip, and 276 (SEM 35), 94 (SEM 10) and 48 (SEM 5) s for the knee extension at the three MVC levels, respectively. Heart rate and blood pressure became higher during one-legged knee extension than during handgrip, and with increasing level of contraction. The older subjects had a lower heart rate and a higher blood pressure response than their younger counterparts, and the differences were more apparent at a higher force level. The results would indicate that increasing age is associated with an altered heart rate and blood pressure response to isometric exercise although it does not affect isometric endurance.

Skeletal muscle fatigue and endurance in young and old men and women.

The effects of increasing age on skeletal muscle fatigue and endurance were assessed in 22 healthy young (14 men and 8 women; mean age, 28 +/- 6 years) and 16 healthy old (8 men and 8 women; mean age, 73 +/- 3 years) individuals. All subjects performed 100 repeated maximum dynamic knee extensions at 90 degrees.s-1 (1.57 rad.s-1) using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex II). Peak torque was recorded during every contraction, and for each individual the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), the fatigue rate, the endurance level, and the relative reduction in muscle force were determined. MVC and endurance level were significantly lower in old men and women, but there was no discernible difference in relative muscle force reduction and fatigue rate between young and old individuals. We conclude that thigh muscles of older individuals are weaker than those of younger individuals, but relative to their strength, older individuals have similar properties as younger individuals with respect to muscle fatigue and endurance.

Myoelectric and mechanical manifestations of muscle fatigue in voluntary contractions.

Endurance is a clinically relevant muscle parameter. It would be desirable to be able to estimate it without the need for a contraction sustained to exhaustion. The purpose of this work was to investigate the capability of the initial rate of spectral compression of the surface electromyographic (EMG) signal to predict mechanical endurance during sustained voluntary contractions of the human tibialis anterior muscle. Six healthy subjects performed voluntary isometric contractions of the tibialis anterior at 80, 70, 60, and 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction level. The contractions were sustained for 90, 120, 150, and 170 seconds, respectively. These intervals exceed the normal endurance time for this muscle and allow for a decrease of torque output. The slope of the median frequency, computed over the first 30 seconds of the contraction, was used to describe the initial spectral compression of the EMG signal. Significant correlations were found: 1) between contraction level and endurance time (p < 0.05 for each subject) and 2) between median (or mean) frequency slope and endurance time (p < 0.0001 for all subjects pooled together). The regression between median frequency slope and endurance time showed intersubject variations possibly related to the tibialis anterior muscle fiber type content. It is concluded that clinical use of the EMG spectral technique in assessing muscle fatigue may enable the clinician to estimate the endurance time without having the subject sustain a contraction until the point of contractile failure. This could be an advantage for some patient populations, such as the severely disabled, arthritic, or frail elderly, that might not be able to tolerate long duration contractions.