Ballistic Movement: Muscle Activation and Neuromuscular Adaptation

1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Paul Zehr ◽  
Digby G. Sale
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Silent Period ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Maximal Velocity ◽  
Ballistic Movement ◽  
Burst Pattern ◽  
Contraction Times ◽  
Ballistic Contraction

Movements that are performed with maximal velocity and acceleration can be considered ballistic actions. Ballistic actions are characterized by high firing rates, brief contraction times, and high rates of force development. A characteristic triphasic agonist/antagonist/agonist electromyographic (EMG) burst pattern occurs during ballistic movement, wherein the amount and intensity of antagonist coactivation is variable. In conditions of low-grade tonic muscular activity, a premovement EMG depression (PMD; or silent period, PMS) can occur in agonist muscles prior to ballistic contraction. The agonist PMD period may serve to potentiate the force and velocity of the following contraction. A selective activation of fast twitch motor units may occur in ballistic contractions under certain movement conditions. Finally, high-velocity ballistic training induces specific neuromuscular adaptations that occur as a function of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms that subserve ballistic movement. Key words: electromyography, motor control, training adaptation, motor unit

Maximum shortening speed of motor units of various types in cat lumbrical muscles

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 442-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Petit ◽  
M. Chua ◽  
C. C. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Single Motor Units ◽  
Maximal Speed ◽  
Contraction Times ◽  
Isometric Twitch ◽  
Lumbrical Muscles ◽  
Speed Of Shortening

1. Isotonic shortening of cat superficial lumbrical muscles was studied during maximal tetanic contractions of single motor units of identified types. For each motor unit, the maximal speed of contraction, Vmax, was determined by extrapolating to zero the hyperbolic relation between applied tension and speed of shortening. 2. The maximal speeds of shortening of motor units formed a continuum with the highest velocities observed for the fast fatigable motor units and the lowest for the slow motor units. 3. On average, the maximum speed of shortening increased with the tetanic tension developed by the motor units. 4. In motor units with isometric twitch contraction times less than 35 ms, these times showed a significant inverse correlation with Vmax. Progressively longer contraction times were associated with rather small changes in Vmax. 5. The implications of these findings on the speed of muscle shortening during motor-unit recruitment are discussed.

Incomplete Muscle Activation After Training With Electromyostimulation

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Hortobágyi ◽  
Jean Lambert ◽  
Kevin Scott
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Eccentric Contraction ◽  
Key Words Exercise ◽  
Eccentric Contractions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Force Ratio ◽  
Evoked Force ◽  
Large Motor

Training with voluntary or electromyostimulation (EMS)-evoked eccentric contractions should produce complete muscle activation, since EMS and eccentric contractions preferentially recruit large motor units. Subjects (22 women ages 18-40) were randomly assigned to a voluntary (VOL; n = 8), EMS (n = 8), or control group. VOL and EMS groups trained the quadriceps at the same, increasing force levels 4 times/week for 6 weeks using voluntary or EMS-evoked eccentric contractions. VOL improved voluntary more than EMS-evoked eccentric strength. EMS improved EMS-evoked strength more than voluntary. EMS training improved EMS-evoked eccentric strength more than VOL training improved voluntary eccentric strength. EMS-evoked to voluntary force ratio increased from 0.57 (±0.11) to 1.20 (±0.35) in EMS and did not change in VOL (all changes p < .05). Six of eight EMS subjects produced greater EMS-evoked force posttraining, suggesting incomplete muscle activation after EMS training. Key words: exercise, eccentric contraction, muscle activation

scholarly journals Investigation of different stimulation patterns with doublet pulses to reduce muscle fatigue

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205566831982580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruslinda Ruslee ◽  
Jennifer Miller ◽  
Henrik Gollee
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Fatigue ◽  
Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Pulse Interval ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Fatigue Index ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cord Injury

Introduction: Functional electrical stimulation is a common technique used in the rehabilitation of individuals with a spinal cord injury to produce functional movement of paralysed muscles. However, it is often associated with rapid muscle fatigue which limits its applications. Methods: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects on the onset of fatigue of different multi-electrode patterns of stimulation via multiple pairs of electrodes using doublet pulses: Synchronous stimulation is compared to asynchronous stimulation patterns which are activated sequentially (AsynS) or randomly (AsynR), mimicking voluntary muscle activation by targeting different motor units. We investigated these three different approaches by applying stimulation to the gastrocnemius muscle repeatedly for 10 min (300 ms stimulation followed by 700 ms of no-stimulation) with 40 Hz effective frequency for all protocols and doublet pulses with an inter-pulse-interval of 6 ms. Eleven able-bodied volunteers (28 ± 3 years old) participated in this study. Ultrasound videos were recorded during stimulation to allow evaluation of changes in muscle morphology. The main fatigue indicators we focused on were the normalised fatigue index, fatigue time interval and pre-post twitch–tetanus ratio. Results: The results demonstrate that asynchronous stimulation with doublet pulses gives a higher normalised fatigue index (0.80 ± 0.08 and 0.87 ± 0.08) for AsynS and AsynR, respectively, than synchronous stimulation (0.62 ± 0.06). Furthermore, a longer fatigue time interval for AsynS (302.2 ± 230.9 s) and AsynR (384.4 ± 279.0 s) compared to synchronous stimulation (68.0 ± 30.5 s) indicates that fatigue occurs later during asynchronous stimulation; however, this was only found to be statistically significant for one of two methods used to calculate the group mean. Although no significant difference was found in pre-post twitch–tetanus ratio, there was a trend towards these effects. Conclusion: In this study, we proposed an asynchronous stimulation pattern for the application of functional electrical stimulation and investigated its suitability for reducing muscle fatigue compared to previous methods. The results show that asynchronous multi-electrode stimulation patterns with doublet pulses may improve fatigue resistance in functional electrical stimulation applications in some conditions.

Effects of activation pattern on nonisometric human skeletal muscle performance

2007 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 1985-1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan D. Maladen ◽  
Ramu Perumal ◽  
Anthony S. Wexler ◽  
Stuart A. Binder-Macleod
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Instantaneous Frequency ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Variable Frequency ◽  
Constant Frequency ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Activation Rate ◽  
Discharge Patterns

During volitional muscle activation, motor units often fire with varying discharge patterns that include brief, high-frequency bursts of activity. These variations in the activation rate allow the central nervous system to precisely control the forces produced by the muscle. The present study explores how varying the instantaneous frequency of stimulation pulses within a train affects nonisometric muscle performance. The peak excursion produced in response to each stimulation train was considered as the primary measure of muscle performance. The results showed that at each frequency tested between 10 and 50 Hz, variable-frequency trains that took advantage of the catchlike property of skeletal muscle produced greater excursions than constant-frequency trains. In addition, variable-frequency trains that could achieve targeted trajectories with fewer pulses than constant-frequency trains were identified. These findings suggest that similar to voluntary muscle activation patterns, varying the instantaneous frequency within a train of pulses can be used to improve muscle performance during functional electrical stimulation.

scholarly journals Can Whole-Body Vibration Exercises in Different Positions Change Muscular Activity of Upper Limbs? A Randomized Trial

Dose-Response ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932581880436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle S Morel ◽  
Pedro J Marín ◽  
Eloá Moreira-Marconi ◽  
Carla F Dionello ◽  
Mario Bernardo-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Test Sets ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Push Up

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of whole-body vibration exercises (WBVE) in different positions on muscular activity of flexor digitorum superficialis (FD), wrist extensor (ED), and handgrip strength (HG) of healthy men. Fifteen participants have performed 5 test sets each one consisting of HG strength measurement and 1-minute WBVE intervention (frequency: 50 Hz, amplitude: 1.53 mm, synchronous tri-planar oscillating/vibratory platform), that could be control (no exposition to vibration), squat (30 seconds of rest and 30 seconds of WBVE in squat position), or push-up (30 seconds of rest, and 30 seconds of WBVE in push-up position). After testing, participants had 2 minutes of rest and then were encouraged to keep themselves on a pull-up bar for 30 seconds. During all procedures, muscular activity of FD and ED was measured by surface electromyography (EMG). Statistical analysis has revealed that the EMG measured in the FD during the static pull-up bar exercise after SQUAT condition was significantly higher ( P = .004) than the CONTROL and PUSH-UP conditions. Whole-body vibration exercises in squat position increase acutely muscle activation of the FD during isometric exercises of longer duration, while muscle activation of ED and HG strength are not affected by WBVE.

scholarly journals Influence of Ball Impact Location on Racquet Kinematics, Forearm Muscle Activation and Shot Accuracy during the Forehand Groundstrokes in Tennis

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Masahiro Ikenaga ◽  
Nobue Okuma ◽  
Hiroki Nishiyama ◽  
Shinichiro Chiba ◽  
Katsutoshi Nishino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Side Impact ◽  
Ball Impact ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
Impact Location ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Flight Parameters ◽  
Extensor Carpi Radialis ◽  
Forearm Muscle

We aimed to clarify the effect of ball–racquet impact locations on the dynamic behavior of tennis racquet, the accuracy of shots and muscle activation of the forearm. Eight male intermediate tennis players performed ten forehand groundstrokes. A motion capture system was used to measure the motions of racquet, ball and human body at 2000 Hz, and electromyography (EMG) activities of wrist extensor and flexor muscles were measured simultaneously. The flight parameters of the ball were measured by ballistic measurement equipment. All shots were divided into tertiles based on ball impact location along the lateral axis of tennis racquet. We found that the off-center, upper-side impact induces a larger muscular activity in extensor carpi radialis. Passive radial deviation of the wrist occurring immediately after ball impact may account for this. Furthermore, the off-center, upper-side impact could be associated with a missed shot having a lower, outward ball launch angle.

scholarly journals Role of Interhemispheric Cortical Interactions in Poststroke Motor Function

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 762-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline A. Palmer ◽  
Lewis A. Wheaton ◽  
Whitney A. Gray ◽  
Mary Alice Saltão da Silva ◽  
Steven L. Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Function ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Silent Period ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Interhemispheric Coherence ◽  
Stroke Group ◽  
Active Condition ◽  
Hand Muscle ◽  
Clinical Measures

Background/Objective. We investigated interhemispheric interactions in stroke survivors by measuring transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)–evoked cortical coherence. We tested the effect of TMS on interhemispheric coherence during rest and active muscle contraction and compared coherence in stroke and older adults. We evaluated the relationships between interhemispheric coherence, paretic motor function, and the ipsilateral cortical silent period (iSP). Methods. Participants with (n = 19) and without (n = 14) chronic stroke either rested or maintained a contraction of the ipsilateral hand muscle during simultaneous recordings of evoked responses to TMS of the ipsilesional/nondominant (i/ndM1) and contralesional/dominant (c/dM1) primary motor cortex with EEG and in the hand muscle with EMG. We calculated pre- and post-TMS interhemispheric beta coherence (15-30 Hz) between motor areas in both conditions and the iSP duration during the active condition. Results. During active i/ndM1 TMS, interhemispheric coherence increased immediately following TMS in controls but not in stroke. Coherence during active cM1 TMS was greater than iM1 TMS in the stroke group. Coherence during active iM1 TMS was less in stroke participants and was negatively associated with measures of paretic arm motor function. Paretic iSP was longer compared with controls and negatively associated with clinical measures of manual dexterity. There was no relationship between coherence and. iSP for either group. No within- or between-group differences in coherence were observed at rest. Conclusions. TMS-evoked cortical coherence during hand muscle activation can index interhemispheric interactions associated with poststroke motor function and potentially offer new insights into neural mechanisms influencing functional recovery.

Impulse propagation and muscle activation in long maximal voluntary contractions

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1835-1842 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Thomas ◽  
J. J. Woods ◽  
B. Bigland-Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Mass Action ◽  
M Wave ◽  
Force Reduction ◽  
Small Decline ◽  
Voluntary Contractions ◽  
Do So

With fatigue, force generation may be limited by several factors, including impaired impulse transmission and/or reduced motor drive. In 5-min isometric maximal voluntary contraction, no decline was seen in the peak amplitude of the tibialis anterior compound muscle mass action potential (M wave) either during or immediately after the voluntary effort, provided maximal nerve stimulation was retained. For first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle, M wave amplitudes declined by 19.4 +/- 1.6% during the first 2 min but did not change significantly thereafter, despite the continued force reduction (up to 94% in 5 min for both muscles). The duration of the FDI M waves increased (greater than 30%), suggesting that the small decline in amplitude was the result of increased dispersion between the responses of different motor units. Some subjects kept FDI maximally activated throughout, but when they used tibialis anterior, twitch occlusion and tetanic muscle stimulation showed that most subjects were usually only able to do so for the first 60 s and thereafter only during brief “extra efforts.” Thus force loss during isometric voluntary contractions sustained at the highest intensities results mainly from failure of processes within the muscle fibers.

Oxygen delivery to skeletal muscle fibers: effects of microvascular unit structure and control mechanisms

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (3) ◽  
pp. H955-H963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Lo ◽  
Andrew J. Fuglevand ◽  
Timothy W. Secomb
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Tissue Oxygenation ◽  
Oxygen Sensing ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Capillary Perfusion

The number of perfused capillaries in skeletal muscle varies with muscle activation. With increasing activation, muscle fibers are recruited as motor units consisting of widely dispersed fibers, whereas capillaries are recruited as groups called microvascular units (MVUs) that supply several adjacent fibers. In this study, a theoretical model was used to examine the consequences of this spatial mismatch between the functional units of muscle activation and capillary perfusion. Diffusive oxygen transport was simulated in cross sections of skeletal muscle, including several MVUs and fibers from several motor units. Four alternative hypothetical mechanisms controlling capillary perfusion were considered. First, all capillaries adjacent to active fibers are perfused. Second, all MVUs containing capillaries adjacent to active fibers are perfused. Third, each MVU is perfused whenever oxygen levels at its feed arteriole fall below a threshold value. Fourth, each MVU is perfused whenever the average oxygen level at its capillaries falls below a threshold value. For each mechanism, the dependence of the fraction of perfused capillaries on the level of muscle activation was predicted. Comparison of the results led to the following conclusions. Control of perfusion by MVUs increases the fraction of perfused capillaries relative to control by individual capillaries. Control by arteriolar oxygen sensing leads to poor control of tissue oxygenation at high levels of muscle activation. Control of MVU perfusion by capillary oxygen sensing permits adequate tissue oxygenation over the full range of activation without resulting in perfusion of all MVUs containing capillaries adjacent to active fibers.

Effect of endurance training on muscle activation and force sensation

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 1765-1773 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Cafarelli ◽  
F. Liebesman ◽  
J. Kroon
Keyword(s):  
Endurance Training ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reduction In Force ◽  
Leg Cycling ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control

One of the consequences of endurance training is a reduction in force sensation in trained muscles at any exercise intensity. To study the central and peripheral contributions to this adaptation, we trained six male subjects with single-leg cycling at 60% [Formula: see text] peak (30 min/day × 3 days/week × 8 weeks); six others were matched controls. Measurements were made during separate 20-min, single-leg rides at 70% pre-training [Formula: see text] peak, with trained (TR), untrained (UT), and control (CT) legs, before and after training. No pre–post differences were observed in the control group. [Formula: see text] peak increased 18% (p < 0.05) in the TR leg and 6% (p < 0.05) in the UT leg of the trained subjects. Force sensation was significantly less in both the TR (70%; p < 0.05) and UT (50%; p < 0.05) legs during 20 min of single-leg cycling after training. Vastus lateralis EMG, plasma lactate, and heart rate were all significantly (p < 0.05) lower when cycling with either the TR or UT leg, which were both lower than when cycling with the CT leg, at the end of each 20-min ride. These data reflect an intramuscular environment that is better adapted to endurance performance by virtue of both central and peripheral mechanisms. Thus, there is less need to recruit additional motor units to maintain the same power output, and this reduced motor outflow leads to a decline in force sensation.Key words: kinesthesia, proprioception, electromyography, single-leg training, endurance training.

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