Twitch Half-relaxation Time Research Articles

Heat acclimation reduces the effects of whole-body hyperthermia on knee-extensor relaxation rate, but does not affect voluntary torque production

PurposeThis study investigated the effects of acute hyperthermia and heat acclimation (HA) on maximal and rapid voluntary torque production, and their neuromuscular determinants.MethodsTen participants completed 10 days of isothermic HA (50 °C, 50% rh) and had their knee-extensor neuromuscular function assessed in normothermic and hyperthermic conditions, pre-, after 5 and after 10 days of HA. Electrically evoked twitch and octet (300 Hz) contractions were delivered at rest. Maximum voluntary torque (MVT), surface electromyography (EMG) normalised to maximal M-wave, and voluntary activation (VA) were assessed during brief maximal isometric voluntary contractions. Rate of torque development (RTD) and normalised EMG were measured during rapid voluntary contractions.ResultsAcute hyperthermia reduced neural drive (EMG at MVT and during rapid voluntary contractions; P < 0.05), increased evoked torques (P < 0.05), and shortened contraction and relaxation rates (P < 0.05). HA lowered resting rectal temperature and heart rate after 10 days (P < 0.05), and increased sweating rate after 5 and 10 days (P < 0.05), no differences were observed between 5 and 10 days. The hyperthermia-induced reduction in twitch half-relaxation was attenuated after 5 and 10 days of HA, but there were no other effects on neuromuscular function either in normothermic or hyperthermic conditions.ConclusionHA-induced favourable adaptations to the heat after 5 and 10 days of exposure, but there was no measurable benefit on voluntary neuromuscular function in normothermic or hyperthermic conditions. HA did reduce the hyperthermic-induced reduction in twitch half-relaxation time, which may benefit twitch force summation and thus help preserve voluntary torque in hot environmental conditions.

Sex differences in central and peripheral fatigue induced by sustained isometric ankle plantar flexion

The main aim of this study was to determine sex differences in central and peripheral fatigue produced by a sustained isometric exercise of ankle plantar flexors in healthy young adults. Ten males and fourteen females performed a sustained isometric ankle exercise until task failure. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque (plantarflexion), voluntary activation level (using the twitch interpolation technique), and resting twitch contractile properties [twitch peak torque (ST), twitch half relaxation time, and low frequency fatigue (LFF) ratio] were measured before, immediately after, and throughout a recovery period (1, 2, 5, and 10 min) following the exercise protocol in order to characterize neuromuscular fatigue. Fatigue had effects (p≤ 0.05) on all dependent variables (reduction in MVIC, VA and twitch torque and slowing of relaxation time). However, no significant differences in performance fatigability markers (MVIC torque decline and time to fatigue) and only minor differences in the variables reflecting central and peripheral fatigue mechanisms were found between males and females. A regression analysis did suggest a somewhat greater role of central fatigue in males compared with females. Females also showed a slightly greater and more prolonged decline in ST and LFF after exercise compared with males. The presence of only minor differences in central and peripheral fatigue mechanisms between males and females in the present study could be explained by the lack of important sex differences in performance fatigability, which could be due to lesser sex differences in the relative area of type I muscle fibers and in contractile function (muscle strength) of ankle plantar flexors as compared with other muscle groups.

141 Mild Burns Combined with Diet Induced Demyelination Does Not Affect Skeletal Muscle Function

Abstract Introduction Severe burns result in decreased skeletal muscle mass and function. Recent evidence suggests that massive burns disrupt the motor-neural system including motor neurons to partially explain skeletal muscle dysfunction in response to burns. However, impact of demyelination on burn induced skeletal muscle dysfunction has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of exaggerated demyelination on skeletal muscle dysfunction after burn. Methods C57BL/6 (20-25g, male, n = 26) mice were separated into 6 groups (4–5 animals per group) by diet, burn injury and timepoint (burn or sham groups with two different diets measured at two different timepoints). Mice were fed with either cuprizone diet (0.2 %) to induce severe demyelination or regular diet (18 % protein) for 5 weeks prior to injury. Burns were administered by immersing the dorsal side of the animal into ~95 °C hot water for 10 seconds (~15 % body surface area, full thickness burn). In-situ gastrocnemius function was assessed by attaching the distal tendon of the muscle to a lever arm of a force transducer and stimulating the muscle via exposed sciatic nerve while the animal was under anesthesia. In-situ gastrocnemius muscle function was evaluated 3- and 7-days after burn. Results Food intake was 30 % higher in cuprizone diet group compared to the regular diet group (p=0.002). However, there was no significant difference in body weight among groups (p=0.071). No significant difference was found in gastrocnemius wet weight, peak twitch tension, time to reach peak twitch tension, peak twitch half relaxation time, force-frequency relationship, maximum tetanic force, and fatigue index among groups (burn effect, diet effect, time effect, and their interactions; NS). Conclusions Mild burns combined with demyelination by diet had no effect on skeletal muscle function on our timepoints, and 15 % TBSA burn size was not sufficient to induce skeletal muscle dysfunction. The impact of burn induced neural damage on muscle function and performance indicates further investigation.

Glucose Uptake and Insulin Response in Tissue-engineered Human Skeletal Muscle.

Tissue-engineered muscles ("myobundles") offer a promising platform for developing a human in vitro model of healthy and diseased muscle for drug development and testing. Compared to traditional monolayer cultures, myobundles better model the three-dimensional structure of native skeletal muscle and are amenable to diverse functional measures to monitor the muscle health and drug response. Characterizing the metabolic function of human myobundles is of particular interest to enable their utilization in mechanistic studies of human metabolic diseases, identification of related drug targets, and systematic studies of drug safety and efficacy. To this end, we studied glucose uptake and insulin responsiveness in human tissue-engineered skeletal muscle myobundles in the basal state and in response to drug treatments. In the human skeletal muscle myobundle system, insulin stimulates a 50% increase in 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake with a compiled EC50 of 0.27 ± 0.03nM. Treatment of myobundles with 400µM metformin increased basal 2-DG uptake 1.7-fold and caused a significant drop in twitch and tetanus contractile force along with decreased fatigue resistance. Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) increased the magnitude of insulin response from a 1.2-fold increase in glucose uptake in the untreated state to a 1.4-fold increase after 4-PBA treatment. 4-PBA treated myobundles also exhibited increased fatigue resistance and increased twitch half-relaxation time. Although tissue-engineered human myobundles exhibit a modest increase in glucose uptake in response to insulin, they recapitulate key features of in vivo insulin sensitivity and exhibit relevant drug-mediated perturbations in contractile function and glucose metabolism.

Is there an intermuscular relationship in voluntary activation capacities and contractile kinetics?

The force-generating capacities of human skeletal muscles are interrelated, highlighting a common construct of limb strength. This study aimed to further determine whether there is an intermuscular relationship in maximal voluntary activation capacities and contractile kinetics of human muscles. Twenty-six young healthy individuals participated in this study. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, voluntary activation level (VAL), and doublet twitch contractile kinetics (contraction time and half-relaxation time) evoked by a paired supramaximal peripheral nerve stimulation at 100Hz were obtained in elbow flexors, knee extensors, plantar flexors and dorsiflexors of the dominant limb. Peak MVC torque had significant positive correlations between all muscle group pairs (all P values < 0.01). A significant positive correlation for VAL was found only between knee extensors and plantar flexors (r = 0.60, P < 0.01). There were no significant correlations between all muscle group pairs for doublet twitch contraction time and doublet twitch half-relaxation time. These results show that there is a partial common construct of maximal voluntary activation capacities that only concerns muscle groups that have incomplete activation during MVC (i.e., knee extensors and plantar flexors). This suggests that the common construct of MVC strength between these two muscle groups is partly influenced by neural mechanisms. The lack of intermuscular relationship of contractile kinetics showed that there is no common construct of muscle contractile kinetics, as assessed in vivo by investigating the time-course of evoked doublet twitch contractions.

Neuromuscular Properties of the Human Wrist Flexors as a Function of the Wrist Joint Angle.

The joint angle dependence of voluntary activation and twitch properties has been investigated for several human skeletal muscles. However, although they play a key role for hand function and possess a unique neural control compared to muscles surrounding other joint complexes, little is known about the wrist flexors innervated by the median nerve. Therefore, isometric voluntary and electrically evoked contractions of the wrist flexors were analyzed at three wrist joint angles (extension: −30°, neutral: 0°, flexion: 30°) to quantify the joint angle dependence of (i) voluntary activation (assessed via peripheral nerve stimulation and electromyography [EMG]), (ii) unpotentiated twitch torques, and (iii) potentiated twitch torques. Maximum voluntary torque was lower in extension compared to neutral and flexion. Although voluntary activation was generally high, data indicate that voluntary activation of the wrist flexors innervated by the median nerve was lower and the antagonist·agonist−1 EMG ratio was higher with the wrist joint in flexion compared to extension. Peak twitch torque, rate of twitch torque development, and twitch half-relaxation time increased, whereas electromechanical delay decreased from flexion to extension for the unpotentiated twitch torques. Activity-induced potentiation partly abolished these differences and was higher in short than long wrist flexors. Different angle-dependent excitatory and inhibitory inputs to spinal and supraspinal centers might be responsible for the altered activation of the investigated wrist muscles. Potential mechanisms were discussed and might have operated conjointly to increase stiffness of the flexed wrist joint. Differences in twitch torque properties were probably related to angle-dependent alterations in series elastic properties, actin-myosin interaction, Ca2+ sensitivity, and phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains. The results of the present study provide valuable information about the contribution of neural and muscular properties to changes in strength capabilities of the wrist flexors at different wrist joint angles. These data could help to understand normal wrist function, which is a first step in determining mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal disorders and in giving recommendations for the restoration of musculoskeletal function after traumatic or overuse injuries.

The effects of local muscle temperature on force variability.

Force variability is affected by environmental temperature, but whether the changes are from altered muscle temperature or proprioception are unclear. We tested how forearm muscle warming and cooling affected a force tracking task. Twelve males and four females completed evoked, maximal, and isometric wrist flexion contractions (0-30% maximal) during thermoneutral-, warm-, and cold-muscle conditions. Forearm muscle temperature was manipulated using neutral (~ 33°C), hot (~ 44°C), or cold (~ 13°C) water circulated through a tube-lined sleeve. Evoked and voluntary contractions were performed before and after thermal manipulations. Thermal manipulations altered contractile properties as evident in the twitch half-relaxation time, rate of force development, and duration (all P < 0.05), suggesting that muscle temperature was successfully altered. Changes in surface electromyography of the flexor carpi radialis root-mean-square amplitude and mean power frequency between temperature conditions (all P < 0.05) also indicate muscle temperature changes. No changes to root-mean-square error or variance ratio of the force trace were observed with muscle temperature changes (both P > 0.05). Muscle temperature changes did not have a consistent effect on coefficient of variation during each plateau of the staircase contraction. Our results suggest that the ability to perform a multi-plateaued isometric force task is not affected by changes to forearm muscle temperature. As the thermal manipulation was limited to the forearm, changes to hand temperature would be minimal, thus, proprioception in the wrist and hand was preserved allowing performance to be maintained. Therefore, modest changes to forearm muscle temperature are not likely to affect force variability if proprioception is maintained.

Slowed relaxation of diaphragm in septic rats is associated with reduced expression of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum CA2+ -ATPase genes SERCA1 and SERCA2.

The aim of this study was to study the effects of sepsis on diaphragm relaxation properties and the associated expression of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase genes SERCA1 and SERCA2. Rats were randomized to undergo either sham surgery or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Diaphragm isometric relaxation parameters were measured after 24 h. The mRNA expression and protein content of SERCA1 and SERCA2 in diaphragm muscles were determined. Both diaphragm maximal twitch and tetanus relaxation rates were reduced. Twitch half-relaxation time was prolonged after normalization to half of peak twitch tension. The mRNA expression and protein content of SERCA1 and SERCA2 were decreased. Slowed relaxation of the diaphragm in septic rats was associated with reduced expression of SERCA1 and SERCA2. Muscle Nerve 54: 1108-1113, 2016.

Beetroot Juice Increases Skeletal Muscle Force Production in Recreationally Active Subjects.

Supplementation with dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3-) in the form of beetroot juice (BRJ) reduces whole-body oxygen consumption during submaximal exercise. There are currently two proposed mechanisms to explain this decrease; 1) improved mitochondrial function and 2) improved mechanical efficiency. Previous research has shown that mitochondrial bioenergetics are not improved following 7-d of BRJ supplementation, however there was an increase in H2O2 emission. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to increase skeletal muscle (SkM) contractile force, this presents a possible mechanism for the ergogenic effects of BRJ. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 7-d of BRJ supplementation on SkM contractile characteristics and function. METHODS: Young recreationally active males (n=8) underwent transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation of the vastus lateralis for evaluation of SkM contractile characteristics pre and post 7-d of BRJ supplementation (280 ml/day, ~26 mmol NO3-). Subjects performed 2 isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), which were used for determination of a voltage that elicited ~40% MVC at 100 Hz. This was subsequently used for performance of a force frequency (FF) curve (10, 20, 30, 50, 100 Hz). Muscle twitches were evoked using a single supramaximal (~150 V, 50 μs duration) impulse twice prior to and twice following performing the FF curve. RESULTS: Following supplementation, there was no change in force produced during MVC (602.1 ± 50.4 vs. 596.6 ± 56.4 N), however peak twitch tension was increased (132.6 ± 3.3 vs. 153.5 ± 6.0 N, p<0.01). While there was no change in twitch half-relaxation time, the maximal rates of force development and relaxation were increased (3529 ± 251 vs. 2455 ± 135 and -2676 ± 283 vs. -2010 ± 168 N/s, respectively, p<0.05). Force was also increased during the FF curve at 10 Hz (41.1 ± 2.3 vs. 37.6 ± 2.4 % of peak force, p<0.05), but was not different at other frequencies. CONCLUSION: Following 7-d of BRJ supplementation, force production at low stimulation frequencies is increased in human SkM. In addition to the increased rates of force development and relaxation, these results suggest a possible mechanism of action for BRJ is via modification of calcium handling or calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus, possibly due to ROS. Supported by NSERC, Canada.

Increased Fatigability Of Older Women Performing High-velocity Contractions Is Explained By Mechanisms Within The Muscle

Older adults are often more fatigable than young adults during high-velocity concentric contractions. This age-related difference in fatigability, however, has been studied primarily in men, and the contribution of supraspinal mechanisms are unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in voluntary activation and contractile properties of the knee extensors in response to high-velocity dynamic contractions in 12 young (22.5 ± 0.6 [SE] yrs) and 18 old women (71.7 ± 1.5 yrs). METHODS: Subjects performed 80 maximal velocity concentric contractions (1 every 3 s) with a load set at 20% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation were used to measure voluntary activation and the contractile properties, respectively, before and immediately (<10 s) following the fatiguing task. RESULTS: Old women generated 55% less power (P<0.01) and 43% lower isometric MVC torque (P<0.01) than the young women. At the end of the fatiguing task, power was reduced by 35 ± 4.7% in the old compared to 20 ± 3.7% in the young (P=0.02). The reduction in MVC torque, however, was similar for the old and young (25 ± 2.5% vs 22 ± 1.6%, respectively, P=0.28). Voluntary activation was similar between the old and young (97 ± 0.7% vs 97 ± 0.6%, respectively, P=0.90) before fatigue, but was reduced only in the old after the fatiguing task by 3 ± 1.1% (P=0.04). Potentiated twitch amplitude was reduced by 30 ± 4.7% in the old compared with 13 ± 5.4% in the young (P=0.02). Similarly, twitch half-relaxation times increased more in the old compared with the young women (72 ± 12.8% vs 32 ± 9.4%, respectively, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Both a loss in voluntary activation from supraspinal centers and fatigue within the muscle are responsible for the greater loss in power during high-velocity dynamic contractions in old compared with young women. However, the large age-related reductions in the contractile properties indicate that muscular mechanisms are primarily responsible for the greater loss in power during knee extension in the old compared with the young women. Supported by NIA (R21 AG045766) to SK Hunter.

Skeletal muscle morphology and contractile function in relation to muscle denervation in diabetic neuropathy

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) on muscle contractile properties in humans, and how these changes are related to alterations in muscle morphology and denervation. Patients with DPN (n = 12) were compared with age- and sex-matched controls (n = 12). Evoked and voluntary contractile properties, including stimulated twitch responses and maximal voluntary contractions, of the dorsiflexor muscles were assessed using an isometric ankle dynamometer. Motor unit number estimates (MUNE) of the tibialis anterior (TA) were performed via quantitative electromyography and decomposition-enhanced spike-triggered averaging. Peak tibialis anterior (TA) cross-sectional area (CSA; cm(2)), and relative proportion of contractile to noncontractile tissue (%) was determined from magnetic resonance images. Patients with DPN demonstrated decreased strength (-35%) and slower (-45%) dorsiflexion contractile properties for both evoked and voluntary contractions (P < 0.05). These findings were not accounted for by differences in voluntary activation (P > 0.05) or antagonist coactivation (P > 0.05). Additionally, patients with DPN were weaker when strength was normalized to TA total CSA (-30%; P < 0.05) or contractile tissue CSA (-26%; P < 0.05). In the DPN patient group, TA MUNEs were negatively related to both % noncontractile tissue (P < 0.05; r = 0.72) and twitch half-relaxation time (P < 0.05; r = 0.60), whereas no relationships were found between these variables in controls (P > 0.05). We conclude that patients with DPN demonstrated reduced strength and muscle quality as well as contractile slowing. This process may contribute to muscle power loss and functional impairments reported in patients with DPN, beyond the loss of strength commonly observed.

Actions of β2-Adrenoceptor Agonist Drug on Human Soleus Muscle Contraction

The effects of β(2)-agonists on human skeletal muscle contractile properties, particularly on slow fibers, are unclear. Moreover, it remains to be ascertained whether central motor drive (CMD) during voluntary contractions could counter for eventual contractile alterations induced by β(2)-agonists. This study investigated central and peripheral neuromuscular adjustments induced by β(2)-agonist terbutaline on a predominantly slow human muscle, the soleus. Ten recreationally active men ingested either a single dose of 8 mg of terbutaline or placebo in a randomized double-blind order (two experimental sessions). Isometric plantarflexion torque was measured during single and tetanic (10 and 100 Hz) stimulations as well as during submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). Twitch peak torque and half-relaxation time were calculated. CMD was estimated via soleus electromyographic recordings obtained during voluntary contractions performed at approximately 50% MVC. MVC and twitch peak torque were not modified by terbutaline. Twitch half-relaxation time was 28% shorter after terbutaline administration compared with placebo (P < 0.001). Tetanic torques at 10 and 100 Hz were significantly lower after terbutaline intake compared with placebo (-40% and -24% respectively, P < 0.001). Despite comparable torque of submaximal voluntary contractions in the two conditions, CMD was 7% higher after terbutaline ingestion compared with placebo (P < 0.01). These results provide evidence that terbutaline modulates the contractility of the slow soleus muscle and suggest that the increased CMD during submaximal contractions may be viewed as a compensatory adjustment of the central nervous system to counter the weakening action induced by terbutaline on the contractile function of slow muscle fibers.

Adaptations in physiological properties of rat motor units following 5 weeks of whole-body vibration

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of 5-week whole-body vibration (WBV) on contractile parameters and force-frequency relationship of functionally isolated motor units of the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle: fast fatigable (FF), fast fatigue-resistant (FR), and slow (S). Moreover, myosin heavy chain isoform content was quantified. Following WBV, the maximum tetanic force of FF units was increased by ∼25%. The twitch half-relaxation time in all types of motor units and the twitch contraction time in FR units were shortened. The twitch-to-tetanus force ratio was decreased and the force-frequency curves were shifted rightwards in S and FR units. Myosin heavy chain distribution was not changed. These findings suggest modifications of the excitation-contraction coupling towards shortening of a twitch contraction. The observed increase in force of FF units may contribute to gains in muscle dynamic strength reported following WBV treatment.

Impact of antenatal inflammation on diaphragm muscle function in the preterm lamb

The incidence of respiratory failure is higher in preterm babies than at any other time of life and clinically relevant antenatal exposures such as inflammation and sepsis may affect the development and function of the fetal diaphragm. We hypothesised that the preterm diaphragm is susceptible to phenotypic alteration induced by in utero exposure to inflammation.We used an established newborn sheep model of neonatal lung disease to determine the impact of in utero inflammatory exposure on the contractile function of the newborn diaphragm. Pregnant ewes received intra‐amniotic injections of saline or LPS (10 mg, E coli O55:B5; Sigma, Melb, Aust) at 2 d or 7 d prior to delivery. Ewes were sedated (IV Ketamine 10 mg/kg, Medetomidine 0.02 mg/kg) and received a spinal anaesthetic (2% Lignocaine, 3 mL) prior to the premature delivery of lambs at 121 d gestation (term = 150 d). At post‐mortem, the diaphragm was removed for assessment of contractile function.Acute in utero exposure to an inflammatory stimulus caused significant (~30%) weakness in the diaphragm muscle. Maximum specific forces from twitch and tetanic contractions were significantly lower after 2 d and 7 d exposure to LPS compared to saline controls. After 2 d LPS exposure, the twitch half‐relaxation time was significantly longer than both 7 d LPS and saline controls. There were no significant differences in the susceptibility to fatigue or to stretch‐induced muscle damage between the treatment groups.These data indicate that both short term (2 d) and longer term (7 d) in utero exposure to inflammation causes contractile dysfunction in the pre‐term diaphragm. This muscle weakness is likely to further impair the functional capacity of the diaphragm and limit the ability to cope with the increased mechanical loads associated with a structurally and functionally immature respiratory system.

Effects of salbutamol on the contractile properties of human skeletal muscle before and after fatigue

The study examined the effects of an oral acute administration of the β2-agonist salbutamol (Sal) (6 mg) vs. placebo on muscle strength and fatigability in 12 non-asthmatic recreational male athletes in a randomized double-blind protocol. Contractile properties of the right quadriceps muscle were measured during electrical stimulations, i.e. twitch, 1-s pulse trains at 20 (P(20) ) and 80 Hz (P(80) ) and during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) before (PRE) and after (POST) a fatigue-producing protocol set by an electromyostimulation (30 contractions, frequency: 75 Hz, on-off ratio: 6.25-20s). In addition, the level of muscle voluntary activation was measured. In PRE and POST conditions, the peak torque (PT) of twitch, P(80) and MVIC were not modified by the treatment. The PT in POST P(20) was slightly, although not significantly, less affected by fatigue in Sal compared with placebo condition. Moreover, twitch half-relaxation time at PRE was smaller under Sal than under placebo (P < 0.05). No significant changes in the degree of voluntary activation were observed with Sal treatment in PRE or POST condition. Although these findings did not exclude completely an effect of Sal on peripheral factors of human skeletal muscle, oral acute administration of the β2-agonist Sal seems to be without any relevant ergogenic effect on muscle contractility and fatigability in non-asthmatic recreational male athletes.

Power loss is greater in old men than young men during fast plantar flexion contractions

It is unclear during human aging whether healthy older adults (>70 yr old) experience greater, lesser, or the same fatigability compared with younger adults. The reported disparate findings may be related to the task-dependent nature of fatigue and the limited number of studies exploring nonisometric contractile function and aging. The purpose here was to determine the effects of fast shortening contractions on the fatigability of the triceps surae in 10 young (~24 yr old) and 10 old (~78 yr old) men using isometric and dynamic measures. Participants performed 50 maximal velocity-dependent plantar flexions at a constant load of 20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC). Isometric twitch properties and MVCs were tested at baseline and during and following the fatigue task. Voluntary activation was similar between the old and young (~98%) and was unaltered with fatigue. The old had 26% lower (P < 0.01) isometric MVC torque and 18% slower (P < 0.01) maximal shortening velocity than the young. Hence, peak power was 38% lower in the old (P < 0.01). At task termination, MVC torque was maintained in the old (P = 0.15) but decreased by 21% in the young (P < 0.01). Twitch half-relaxation time was lengthened in the old at task termination by 26% (P < 0.01) but unchanged in the young (P = 0.10). Peak power was reduced by 24% and 17% at task termination in the old and young, respectively (P < 0.01). Despite a better maintenance in isometric MVC torque production, the weaker and slower contracting triceps surae of the old was more fatigable than the young during fast dynamic efforts with an unconstrained velocity.

Initiating exercise training in late middle age minimally protects muscle contractile function and increases myocyte oxidative damage in senescent rats

Age-related loss of muscle mass and function exhibits a marked acceleration from late middle age to senescence and exercise training is one method that has been proposed to slow this process. The purpose of this study was to determine if long-term treadmill exercise training initiated at late middle age could increase endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity and attenuate the loss of skeletal muscle contractile properties in the gastrocnemius/plantaris (GAS/Plan) and soleus (SOL) muscles of senescent rats (34–36 mo) through a decrease in oxidative damage. Male Fisher 344 × Brown Norway F1-hybrid rats underwent 5–7 mo of treadmill training beginning at late middle age (29 mo). A 7 mo sedentary adult group was used to investigate age-related changes. Aging caused an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities; however, only SOD activity was further increased with exercise training. Exercise training did not attenuate the decrease in twitch or tetanic tension of the GAS/Plan or SOL. It did, however, prevent the increase in twitch half relaxation time of the SOL muscle only. Oxidative damage, as reflected in carbonyl content, was increased with age and even further with exercise training in the GAS muscle. Muscle fibre cross sectional area was decreased with age and even further with exercise training. Interestingly, small muscle fibres showed the highest accumulation of carbonyls. Overall, despite an augmentation of select antioxidant enzyme activities, exercise training from late middle age through to senescence had minimal benefits for muscle contractile properties, perhaps in part due to exacerbated oxidation.

Effects of baclofen on motor units paralysed by chronic cervical spinal cord injury

Baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor(B) agonist, is used to reduce symptoms of spasticity (hyperreflexia, increases in muscle tone, involuntary muscle activity), but the long-term effects of sustained baclofen use on skeletal muscle properties are unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether baclofen use and paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury change the contractile properties of human thenar motor units more than paralysis alone. Evoked electromyographic activity and force were recorded in response to intraneural stimulation of single motor axons to thenar motor units. Data from three groups of motor units were compared: 23 paralysed units from spinal cord injured subjects who take baclofen and have done so for a median of 7 years, 25 paralysed units from spinal cord injured subjects who do not take baclofen (median: 10 years) and 45 units from uninjured control subjects. Paralysed motor unit properties were independent of injury duration and level. With paralysis and baclofen, the median motor unit tetanic forces were significantly weaker, twitch half-relaxation times longer and half maximal forces reached at lower frequencies than for units from uninjured subjects. The median values for these same parameters after paralysis alone were comparable to control data. Axon conduction velocities differed across groups and were slowest for paralysed units from subjects who were not taking baclofen and fastest for units from the uninjured. Greater motor unit weakness with long-term baclofen use and paralysis will make the whole muscle weaker and more fatigable. Significantly more paralysed motor units need to be excited during patterned electrical stimulation to produce any given force over time. The short-term benefits of baclofen on spasticity (e.g. management of muscle spasms that may otherwise hinder movement or social interactions) therefore have to be considered in relation to its possible long-term effects on muscle rehabilitation. Restoring the strength and speed of paralysed muscles to pre-injury levels may require more extensive therapy when baclofen is used chronically.

Differential Contractile Impairment of Fast- and Slow-Twitch Skeletal Muscles in a Rat Model of Doxorubicin-Induced Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with exercise intolerance that cannot be entirely explained by hypoperfusion of the skeletal muscles. We studied the contractile properties of fast-twitch (extensor digitorum longus; EDL) and slow-twitch (soleus; SOL) skeletal muscles in doxorubicin-induced CHF in rats, and evaluated the defective steps of excitation-contraction coupling. Both types of muscles-obtained from CHF rats displayed significant reduction in twitch and tetanic contractions. Twitch half-relaxation times of CHF SOL muscles were prolonged while there was no significant difference in EDL muscles. High K⁺ application induced lower contracture amplitudes in CHF muscles. Caffeine-induced contractures were significantly diminished in CHF SOL. Verapamil application depressed tetanic contractions in all preparations while depression was more pronounced in CHF SOL. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase-1 and -2 in CHF EDL and in CHF SOL, respectively. Sarcolemmal excitability and spontaneous neurotransmitter release were unaffected since resting membrane potential, action potential and miniature end-plate potentials were unaltered in CHF muscles. We conclude that CHF induces contractile impairment that occurs predominantly in rat slow-twitch skeletal muscles. Our results suggest that this muscle-type-specific effect of CHF is related to the defective intracellular Ca²⁺ release and uptake mechanisms and reduced sarcolemmal-dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca²⁺ channel activity.

Effect of an Acute Bout of Plyometric Exercise on Neuromuscular Fatigue and Recovery in Recreational Athletes

Although plyometric training is widely used by sports coaches as a method of improving explosive power in athletes, many prescribe volumes in excess of the National Strength and Conditioning Association recommendations. The purpose of this study was to assess voluntary and evoked muscle characteristics to assess the neuromuscular impact of a high-volume bout of plyometric exercise that was non-exhaustive. Ten athletes who did not have plyometric training experience and were in their competitive season for club-level sport volunteered for the study. After at least 2 days without high-intensity activity, subjects were assessed on maximal twitch torque, time to peak torque, rate of twitch torque development, twitch half-relaxation time, rate of twitch relaxation, and voluntary activation by the interpolated twitch technique before, immediately after, and 2 hours after a high-volume plyometric training program (212 ground contacts). Data were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance and described as mean +/- SD and Cohen d. Statistically significant decrements appeared immediately after the training protocol in the total torque generated by maximal voluntary contractions (p < 0.05, d = -0.51) and twitch (p < 0.01, d = -0.92), rate of twitch torque development (p < 0.01, d = -0.77), and rate of relaxation (p < 0.01, d = -0.73). However, we did not observe any differences that remained statistically different after 2 hours. There were no significant differences observed at any time point in time to peak twitch, half-relaxation time, or voluntary activation. We conclude that high-volume plyometric training results primarily in peripheral fatigue that substantially impairs force and rate of force development. We recommend that coaches carefully monitor the volume of plyometric training sessions to avoid neuromuscular impairments that can result in suboptimal training.