Plantarflexor stretch training increases reciprocal inhibition measured during voluntary dorsiflexion

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Blazevich ◽  
A. D. Kay ◽  
C. Waugh ◽  
F. Fath ◽  
S. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscles ◽  
Evoked Potential ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Reciprocal Inhibition ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Joint Angles ◽  
Muscle Stretching ◽  
Tibial Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Research Goal ◽  
Passive Muscle

Agonist-mediated reciprocal inhibition (RI) in distal skeletal muscles is an important neurophysiological phenomenon leading to improved movement coordination and efficiency. It has been shown to be reduced in aged and clinical populations, so the development of interventions augmenting RI is an important research goal. We examined the efficacy of using chronic passive muscle stretching to augment RI. The influence of 3 wk of plantarflexor stretching (4 × 30 s, two times/day) on RI of soleus and gastrocnemius initiated by tonic, voluntary dorsiflexion contractions [20% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)] was examined in 11 healthy men who performed stretch training and in nine nontraining controls. Hoffmann's reflexes (H-reflexes) were elicited by tibial nerve stimulation during both weak isometric (2% MVC) plantarflexions and dorsiflexion contractions at 20% MVC. Changes were examined at three joint angles, normalized to each subject's range of motion (ROM; plantarflexed = 10 ± 0°, neutral = −3.3 ± 2.9°, dorsiflexed = −16.5 ± 5.6°). No changes were detected in controls. A 20% increase in ROM in the stretch subjects was associated with a significant decrease in maximum H-reflex (Hmax): maximum evoked potential (Mmax), measured during 2% plantarflexion at the plantarflexed and neutral angles in soleus and at the plantarflexed angle in gastrocnemius ( P < 0.05–0.01). By contrast, decreases in Hmax:Mmax during 20% dorsiflexion contract were also seen at each angle in soleus and at the dorsiflexed angle in gastrocnemius. However, a greater decrease in Hmax:Mmax measured during voluntary dorsiflexion rather than during plantarflexion, which indicates a specific change in RI, was detected only at the dorsiflexed angle (−30.7 ± 9.4% and −35.8 ± 6.8% for soleus and gastrocnemius, respectively). These results demonstrate the efficacy of soleus-gastrocnemius stretch training in increasing agonist-mediated RI from tibialis anterior onto soleus-gastrocnemius in young, healthy individuals at dorsiflexed, but not plantarflexed, joint angles.

scholarly journals Operant Up-Conditioning of the Tibialis Anterior Motor-Evoked Potential in Multiple Sclerosis: Feasibility Case Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiko K. Thompson ◽  
Briana M. Favale ◽  
Jacqueline Velez ◽  
Patricia Falivena
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Evoked Potential ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Motor Evoked Potential ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Foot Drop ◽  
Immediate Feedback ◽  
Cord Injury

Damage to the corticospinal pathway often results in weak dorsiflexion of the ankle, thereby limiting the mobility of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, strengthening corticospinal connectivity may improve locomotion. Here, we investigated the feasibility of tibialis anterior (TA) motor-evoked potential (MEP) operant conditioning and whether it can enhance corticospinal excitability and alleviate locomotor problems in people with chronic stable MS. The protocol consisted of 6 baseline and 24 up-conditioning sessions over 10 weeks. In all sessions, TA MEPs were elicited at 10% above active threshold while the sitting subject provided 30–35% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) level of TA background EMG. During baseline sessions, MEPs were simply measured. During conditioning trials of the conditioning sessions, the subject was encouraged to increase MEP and was given immediate feedback indicating whether MEP size was above a criterion. In 3/4 subjects, TA MEP increased 32–75%, MVC increased 28–52%, locomotor EMG modulation improved in multiple leg muscles, and foot drop became less severe. In one of them, MEP and MVC increases were maintained throughout 3 years of extensive follow-up sessions. These initial results support a therapeutic possibility of MEP operant conditioning for improving locomotion in people with MS or other CNS disorders, such as spinal cord injury and stroke.

Neural and mechanical responses of the triceps surae muscle group after 1 h of repeated fast passive stretches

2004 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 2325-2332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janne Avela ◽  
Taija Finni ◽  
Tuomas Liikavainio ◽  
Elina Niemelä ◽  
Paavo V. Komi
Keyword(s):  
Total Duration ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Material Behavior ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Mechanical Responses ◽  
Muscle Stretching ◽  
Before And After ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Passive Muscle

Experiments were carried out to examine interaction between mechanical changes of the muscletendon unit and reduced reflex sensitivity after repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching (RPS). There is some evidence that this interaction might be relevant also during active stretch-shortening cycle type of fatigue tasks. The results demonstrated a clear deterioration of voluntarily and electrically induced muscle contractions after RPS. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), average electromyographic activities of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and maximal twitch contraction decreased on average by 13.8, 10.4, 7.6, and 16.8%, respectively. In addition, there was a 14% lengthening in the total duration of the twitch. MVCs measured at different ankle joint angles revealed a downward and rightward shift in the torquefascicle length curve after RPS. Interestingly, there was a crossing in the torque-fascicle length curves while measured at different activation levels but at the same joint angle before and after RPS. Even though no changes were observed in the activation level during MVCs, all the reflex parameters showed a clear reduction after RPS. This study presents evidence that repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching can lead to some modification of material behavior of the aponeurosis-tendon system, such as stress relaxation and/or plastic deformation. In addition, altered material properties seem to affect proprioceptive feedback and, therefore, the motor unit activation in proportion to the contractile failure.

scholarly journals Mechanical Responses of the Human Triceps Surae after Passive "Stretching" Training of the Plantarflexors in Conditions Modulating Weightlessness

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Koryak
Keyword(s):  
Maximal Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Time To Peak ◽  
Passive Stretching ◽  
Muscle Stretching ◽  
Human Triceps Surae ◽  
Isometric Twitch ◽  
Passive Muscle ◽  
Tetanic Tension

Mechanical Responses of the Human Triceps Surae after Passive "Stretching" Training of the Plantarflexors in Conditions Modulating WeightlessnessThe effect of a 60-day 6° head-down tilt of bed rest with and without prolonged passive muscle "stretching" training on the mechanical properties of the human triceps surae muscle was studied in 13 healthy male subjects. One group (n = 6; mean age 30.8 ± 3.1 years) underwent a 60-day head-down tilt, and a second group (n = 7; mean age 30.4 ± 1.2 years) underwent head-down tilt with prolonged passive muscle stretching. Head-down tilt without prolonged passive muscle "stretching" training showed maximal voluntary contraction declined by 34 % (p < 0.05) and the electrically evoked tetanic tension at 150 impulses·s-1and isometric twitch contraction reduced by 17 % (p < 0.02) and 18 % (p < 0.05), respectively. Time-to-peak tension, and half-relaxation time of the twitch slightly decreased by 3% (p > 0.05), and 7 %, respectively, but total contraction time slightly increased. The difference between electrically evoked tetanic tension and the maximal voluntary contraction expressed as a percentage of electrically evoked tetanic tension (referred to as force deficiency), has also been calculated. The force deficiency increased by 61 % (p < 0.001). After head-down tilt with prolonged passive muscle "stretching" training, the time-to-peak tension did not change, and half-relaxation time of the twitch decreased. In addition, there was a 14 % lengthening in the total duration of the twitch. The results of prolonged passive muscle "stretching" training demonstrated a clear deterioration of voluntarily and electrically induced muscle contractions. Passive "stretching" training caused a decrease by 29 % (p < 0.05) in the maximal voluntary contraction. The isometric twitch contraction, and electrically evoked tetanic tension both showed reductions by 17 %, and by 19 % (p < 0.05), respectively. The force deficiency decreased significantly by 21 % (p < 0.02). The rate of rise of electrically evoked tetanic tension and feature of voluntary contractions significantly reduced during head-down tilt with prolonged passive muscle "stretching" training. These basic experimental findings concluded that prolonged passive "stretching" training of a single muscle did not prevent a reserve of neuromuscular function.

scholarly journals Development of a trunk motor paradigm for use in neuroimaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-200
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Saunders ◽  
Brian C. Clark ◽  
Leatha A. Clark ◽  
Dustin R. Grooms
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Head Motion ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Cyclic Contraction ◽  
Cyclic Contractions ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to quantify head motion between isometric erector spinae (ES) contraction strategies, paradigms, and intensities in the development of a neuroimaging protocol for the study of neural activity associated with trunk motor control in individuals with low back pain. Ten healthy participants completed two contraction strategies; (1) a supine upper spine (US) press and (2) a supine lower extremity (LE) press. Each contraction strategy was performed at electromyographic (EMG) contraction intensities of 30, 40, 50, and 60% of an individually determined maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) (±10% range for each respective intensity) with real-time, EMG biofeedback. A cyclic contraction paradigm was performed at 30% of MVC with US and LE contraction strategies. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) quantified head motion to determine the viability of each paradigm for neuroimaging. US vs LE hold contractions induced no differences in head motion. Hold contractions elicited significantly less head motion relative to cyclic contractions. Contraction intensity increased head motion in a linear fashion with 30% MVC having the least head motion and 60% the highest. The LE hold contraction strategy, below 50% MVC, was found to be the most viable trunk motor control neuroimaging paradigm.

scholarly journals The Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Motor Unit Behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Lucien Robinault ◽  
Aleš Holobar ◽  
Sylvain Crémoux ◽  
Usman Rashid ◽  
Imran Khan Niazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Conduction Velocity ◽  
Spinal Manipulation ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Position Sense ◽  
Joint Position Sense ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Passive Movement

Over recent years, a growing body of research has highlighted the neural plastic effects of spinal manipulation on the central nervous system. Recently, it has been shown that spinal manipulation improved outcomes, such as maximum voluntary force and limb joint position sense, reflecting improved sensorimotor integration and processing. This study aimed to further evaluate how spinal manipulation can alter neuromuscular activity. High density electromyography (HD sEMG) signals from the tibialis anterior were recorded and decomposed in order to study motor unit changes in 14 subjects following spinal manipulation or a passive movement control session in a crossover study design. Participants were asked to produce ankle dorsiflexion at two force levels, 5% and 10% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), following two different patterns of force production (“ramp” and “ramp and maintain”). A significant decrease in the conduction velocity (p = 0.01) was observed during the “ramp and maintain” condition at 5% MVC after spinal manipulation. A decrease in conduction velocity suggests that spinal manipulation alters motor unit recruitment patterns with an increased recruitment of lower threshold, lower twitch torque motor units.

Comparison of Biomechanical and Anatomical Effects Following Eccentric and Concentric Exertions

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (14) ◽  
pp. 1287-1291
Author(s):  
Amrish O. Chourasia ◽  
Mary E. Sesto ◽  
Youngkyoo Jung ◽  
Robert S. Howery ◽  
Robert G. Radwin
Keyword(s):  
Signal Intensity ◽  
Intensity Ratio ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Signal Intensity Ratio ◽  
Mechanical Stiffness ◽  
Average Decrease ◽  
Muscle Shortening

Work place exertions may include muscle shortening (concentric) or muscle lengthening (eccentric) contractions. This study investigates the upper limb mechanical properties and magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the involved muscles following submaximal eccentric and concentric exertions. Twelve participants were randomly assigned to perform at 30° per second eccentric or concentric forearm supination exertions at 50% isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for 30 minutes. Measurement of mechanical stiffness, isometric MVC, localized discomfort and MRI supinator: extensor signal intensity ratio was done before, immediately after, 1 hour after and 24 hours after the bout of exercise. A 53% average decrease in mechanical stiffness after 1 hour was observed for the eccentric group (p< 0.05) compared to a 1% average decrease for the concentric group (p> 0.05). Edema, indicative of swelling, was observed 24 hrs after exercise, with an average increase in the MRI supinator: extensor signal intensity ratio of 36% for the eccentric group and less than 10% for the concentric group (p<0.05).

scholarly journals Long-Term Microgravity Effects on Isometric Handgrip and Precision Pinch Force with Visual and Proprioceptive Feedback

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ilario Puglia ◽  
Michele Balsamo ◽  
Marco Vukich ◽  
Valfredo Zolesi
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Isometric Handgrip ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Space Flights ◽  
Pinch Force ◽  
Long Duration

The study and analysis of human physiology during short- and long-duration space flights are the most valuable approach in order to evaluate the effect of microgravity on the human body and to develop possible countermeasures in prevision of future exploratory missions and Mars expeditions. Hand performances such as force output and manipulation capacity are fundamental for astronauts’ intra- and extravehicular activities. Previous studies on upper limb conducted on astronauts during short-term missions (10 days) indicated a temporary partial reduction in the handgrip maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) followed by a prompt recovery and adaptation to weightlessness during the last days of the mission. In the present study, we report on the “Crew’s Health: Investigation on Reduced Operability” (CHIRO) protocol, developed for handgrip and pinch force investigations, performed during the six months increment 7 and increment 8 (2003-2004) onboard International Space Station (ISS). We found that handgrip and pinch force performance are reduced during long-term increments in space and are not followed by adaptation during the mission, as conversely reported during short-term increment experiments. The application of protocols developed in space will be eligible to astronauts during long-term space missions and to patients affected by muscle atrophy diseases or nervous system injury on Earth.

Index finger position and force of the human first dorsal interosseus and its ulnar nerve antagonist

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 987-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Zijdewind ◽  
D. Kernell
Keyword(s):  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Index Finger ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Abduction Angle ◽  
Hand Position ◽  
First Dorsal Interosseus ◽  
Length Analysis ◽  
Neutral Angle

In normal subjects, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and electrical ulnar nerve stimulation (UNS; 30-Hz bursts of 0.33 s) were systematically compared with regard to the forces generated in different directions (abduction/adduction and flexion) and at different degrees of index finger abduction. With a “resting” hand position in which there was no index finger abduction, UNS produced about one-half of the abduction force elicited by an MVC (mean ratio 51%). Qualitatively, such a discrepancy would be expected, because UNS activates two index finger muscles with opposing actions in the abduction/adduction plane of torques: the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) and the first palmar interosseus (FPI). The abduction forces produced by MVC and UNS were very sensitive to index finger abduction angle: at a maximum degree of abduction, the UNS-generated force even reversed its direction of action to adduction (with FPI dominating) and the abduction MVC declined to 37% of that in the resting hand position. Inasmuch as these declines in MVC- and UNS-generated abduction force could not be explained by a change in moment arm, the main alternative seemed to be abduction-associated alterations in FDI fiber length (analysis by previously published biomechanical data). The FDI and FPI were further compared by application of a UNS-generated fatigue test (5-min burst stimulation), with the index finger kept at a "neutral" angle, i.e., the abduction angle at which, in the unfatigued state, the forces of the FDI and FPI were in balance (zero net UNS-generated abduction/adduction force).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in muscle fiber conduction velocity indicate recruitment of distinct motor unit populations

2003 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1045-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Houtman ◽  
D. F. Stegeman ◽  
J. P. Van Dijk ◽  
M. J. Zwarts
Keyword(s):  
Conduction Velocity ◽  
Muscle Fiber ◽  
Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Isometric Exercise ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Type I ◽  
Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity ◽  
Depth Study

To obtain more insight into the changes in mean muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) during sustained isometric exercise at relatively low contraction levels, we performed an in-depth study of the human tibialis anterior muscle by using multichannel surface electromyogram. The results show an increase in MFCV after an initial decrease of MFCV at 30 or 40% maximum voluntary contraction in all of the five subjects studied. With a peak velocity analysis, we calculated the distribution of conduction velocities of action potentials in the bipolar electromyogram signal. It shows two populations of peak velocities occurring simultaneously halfway through the exercise. The MFCV pattern implies the recruitment of two different populations of motor units. Because of the lowering of MFCV of the first activated population of motor units, the newly recruited second population of motor units becomes visible. It is most likely that the MFCV pattern can be ascribed to the fatiguing of already recruited predominantly type I motor units, followed by the recruitment of fresh, predominantly type II, motor units.

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