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Neural activation after maximal isometric contractions at different muscle lengths.

PURPOSE: To investigate i) whether neural activation dependence on muscle length is preserved with neuromuscular fatigue and ii) whether fatigue induced by a maximal isometric exercise is muscle length dependent. METHODS: Twelve male subjects performed two fatiguing quadriceps muscle exercises: FS is the fatigue carried out at short muscle length (S) (S = 40 degrees of knee flexion) and FL is the fatigue at long muscle length (L) (L = 100 degrees). Before and after each fatiguing exercise (i.e., three maximal isometric contractions maintained until 80, 60, and 40% of the initial maximal torque, respectively), activation level (AL, assessed by means of twitch interpolation technique), EMG activity (RMS), and peak doublet torque (Pd) were measured at the two lengths (S and L). RESULTS: First, AL was greater (P < 0.05) at L compared with S before and after both exercises. Second, despite a similar decrease in maximal voluntary torque (approximately 21% of the initial value) after the two exercises, AL and RMS were significantly reduced after FS (P < 0.05) but remained unchanged after FL, whereas the Pd decrease was more pronounced after FL than FS (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, after a given fatiguing exercise (i.e., FS or FL), AL, RMS, and Pd changes were similar at both postexercise test lengths (S and L). CONCLUSION: These results clearly demonstrate that i) the neural activation dependence on quadriceps muscle length is maintained with fatigue, and ii) neuromuscular fatigue after maximal isometric contractions is dependent on the muscle length at which the exercise is performed: short length preferentially induces neural activation impairment, whereas long length leads to higher contractile failure.

Adult↗

Effects of high salt intake on hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise in normotensive subjects and in patients with essential hypertension.

Hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise were compared between 9 normotensive subjects (NT) and 16 patients with essential hypertension (EH) before and during high salt intake. The subjects were hospitalized and placed on a diet containing 6g of salt per day. Baseline hemodynamic studies were carried out on supine subjects before and 3 min after isometric exercise (30% of the maximal voluntary handgrip). Plasma concentration of norepinephrine (PNE) was also measured. Brachial arterial pressure was directly recorded and cardiac output (CO) was measured by the dye-dilution technique using a cuvette. The hemodynamic studies were repeated on the 5th day of a high salt diet (16g of salt per day). Retention of sodium was calculated on a daily basis by measuring the actual intake of sodium and 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium. Pressor responses to isometric exercise were significantly greater in the EH than in the NT group. Patterns of hemodynamic responses were different in the 2 groups, i.e., the elevation of arterial pressure was maintained by an increase in CO in the NTs, while it was maintained by increases in CO and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) in the EHs. The increase in CO was significantly greater in the NT than in the EH group [15 +/- 3 (mean +/- SE) vs 7 +/- 1%, p less than 0.05]. Although the salt loading reduced heart rate similarly in both groups (-9.0 +/- 2.1, p less than 0.01, in the NTs and -11.9 +/- 2.9%, p less than 0.01, in the EHs), the high salt diet did not significantly alter mean arterial pressure (MAP), CO or TPR in either group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Excitability and isometric contractile properties of mammalian skeletal muscle constructs engineered in vitro.

Our purpose was to engineer three-dimensional skeletal muscle tissue constructs from primary cultures of adult rat myogenic precursor cells, and to measure their excitability and isometric contractile properties. The constructs, termed myooids, were muscle-like in appearance, excitability, and contractile function. The myooids were 12 mm long and ranged in diameter from 0.1 to 1 mm. The myooids were engineered with synthetic tendons at each end to permit the measurement of isometric contractile properties. Within each myooid the myotubes and fibroblasts were supported by an extracellular matrix generated by the cells themselves, and did not require a preexisting scaffold to define the size, shape, and general mechanical properties of the resulting structure. Once formed, the myooids contracted spontaneously at approximately 1 Hz, with peak-to-peak force amplitudes ranging from 3 to 30 microN. When stimulated electrically the myooids contracted to produce force. The myooids (n = 14) had the following mean values: diameter of 0.49 mm, rheobase of 1.0 V/mm, chronaxie of 0.45 ms, twitch force of 215 microN, maximum isometric force of 440 microN, resting baseline force of 181 microN, and specific force of 2.9 kN/m2. The mean specific force was approximately 1% of the specific force generated by control adult rat muscle. Based on the functional data, the myotubes in the myooids appear to remain arrested in an early developmental state due to the absence of signals to promote expression of adult myosin isoforms.

Animals↗

Effect of postural changes and isometric exercise on Doppler-derived measurements of diastolic function in normal subjects.

To determine if simple maneuvers that occur in daily life, such as changes in body position and isometric handgrip exercise, affect Doppler-derived measurements of diastolic function, we studied 22 normal male subjects in the supine position at rest and during several postural manipulations and during handgrip exercise. Comparison of values obtained in the 80 degrees upright tilt position with those obtained in the standard supine position revealed significant decreases in early diastolic flow velocity (peak E) (-25 +/- 3 percent; p less than 0.001), late diastolic flow velocity (peak A) (-9 +/- 3 percent; p less than 0.01), and the ratio of early to late flow velocities (E/A ratio) (-17 +/- 4 percent; significant increases in deceleration time (+55 +/- 10 percent; p less than 0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time (+38 +/- 4 percent; p less than 0.001). Comparison of values obtained with supine isometric exercise with those obtained during the preceding supine resting state revealed significant decreases in peak E (-12 +/- 3 percent; p less than 0.001) and the E/A ratio (-21 +/- 4 percent; p less than 0.001) and significant increases in peak A (+15 +/- 4 percent; p less than 0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time (+16 +/- 3 percent; p less than 0.001). The response of Doppler-derived measurements of diastolic function to postural changes and isometric exercise is complex and multifactorial. Interpretation of these measurements must take into account changes in loading conditions.

Adult↗

[Increased sympatho-adrenomedullary activity in young patients with borderline hypertension: hyperresponses to isometric stress and glucagon injection].

The purpose of this study was to estimate the sympatho-adrenomedullary activity in young patients with borderline hypertension (BHT, n=23), compared with age-matched normotensive subjects (NT, n=9), so that two studies were performed as follows: they were subjected to isometric stress, by maintaining handgrip at the 30% level of maximal voluntary contraction for three minutes. With the exercise blood pressure and pulse rate increased to the same degree in BHT as in NT. In contrast, the response of plasma total catecholamine (plasma epinephrine plus norepinephrine) at the end of this isometric exercise was greater in BHT than in NT (93.0 +/- 12.6 in BHT vs. 47.1 +/- 15.4pg/ml in NT). Moreover, the effects of intravenous glucagon injection (1 USP unit) were studied in twelve subjects of BHT (n = 12) and all of NT (n = 9). The injection of glucagon induced a transient increase in pulse rate, but there was no significant difference in the elevation of pulse rate with glucagon between BHT and NT. Plasma epinephrine also increased temporarily, and returned to the baseline within ten minutes after injection. The increments of plasma epinephrine at two and three minutes after injection were significantly greater in BHT than those in NT: 44.1 +/- 12.3 vs. 5.1 +/- 4.4pg/ml, and 68.9 +/- 13.2 vs. 32.1 +/- 8.9 pg/ml, respectively. Thus, patients with borderline hypertension had the augmented response of plasma catecholamine to both isometric exercise and glucagon stimulation. Evidence presented suggests that the responses of sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla to stress are increased in young patients with borderline hypertension. Moreover, the augmented response of sympatho-adrenomedullary system to stress may be involved in the development of essential hypertension.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Maximum isometric lifting strengths of men in teamwork.

This study reexamined the additivity of maximum isometric teamwork lifting strength using experienced and height-matched young male participants. The maximum isometric lifting strength was measured for four exertion heights (45, 75, 105, and 140 cm) and four lifting styles (one-, two, three-, and four-person exertions). The results showed that actual teamwork strength could be greater or lower than the sum of individual strengths. If it was greater, the difference between the two could be either significant or nonsignificant, but if it was lower, there was no significant difference between the two. Actual teamwork strength ranged from 90.0% to 134.8% of the sum of individual strengths, indicating that experienced and height-matched participants could overcome the problem of lack of coordination in isometric teamwork lifting. The results also showed that some teamwork members, especially weaker members, might be forced to exert strengths higher than their maximum individual voluntary strengths in teamwork lifting. To avoid such overexertion in teamwork, it is recommended that the weight of the handled load be controlled and lower than the sum of all members' strengths. Additionally, members with significantly different strength abilities should not be assigned to the same team. Actual or potential applications of this research include designing member assignments in teamwork lifting tasks.

Adult↗

Recovery of maximal isometric grip strength following cold immersion.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various cold immersion durations on maximal grip strength and the subsequent recovery of grip strength. Sixteen healthy men between 20 and 42 years of age participated in this study. Maximal isometric grip strength was measured before, immediately after, and 5, 10, and 15 minutes after cold immersion. Subjects submerged their dominant elbow, forearm, and hand in a cold water whirlpool at 10 degrees C for 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes. There was a significant decrease in isometric grip strength when the forearm was immersed in 10 degrees C water for durations between 5 and 20 minutes and no recovery of this strength loss for a period of 15 minutes following removal from the cold immersion (p = 0.0001). These findings suggest that clinicians should be aware of the alterations in isometric muscle strength that result from utilizing the temperature and time frames of cold application used in this study.

Adult↗

An investigation of the tri-bar gripping system on isometric muscular endurance.

Recently, a new product called the Tri-Bar has been introduced as an alternative to the standard round weightlifting bar. The Tri-Bar has the same weight, length, and circumference as a standard weightlifting bar and differs only in that the shape of the bar is formed like a triangle with rounded edges. Theoretically, the shape of the bar will enhance gripping comfort and increase muscular endurance. We studied 32 moderately trained males who were free from upper-body injury or limitation. Each participant completed 4 visits to the lab as part of 2 separate investigations. The first investigation was a comparison of straight-arm hang times while grasping a standard Olympic bar or a Tri-Bar attached to the top of a power rack. The second investigation involved grasping a standard revolving cable handle or a Tri-Bar revolving handle attached to a weight equal to half the subject's body weight. In both investigations, time was used as a measure of isometric muscular endurance. Differences were determined using a dependent t-test, and a level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Mean hang times were significantly longer when the men hung from the Tri-Bar (107.6 seconds) versus the standard bar (95.4 seconds) (p = 0.015). Conversely, in the investigation using the revolving handles, the round bar produced longer grasping times (71.5 seconds) than the Tri-Bar (62.6 seconds) (p = 0.000). The results of this investigation indicate that a fixed and stable Tri-Bar may help to increase hang time, but a Tri-Bar free to rotate within the grasp may decrease grasping time in comparison to a standard round handle. With regard to exercises that require isometric grasping, the Tri-Bar may be an effective alternative to the standard bar for increasing isometric grasping endurance.

Adult↗

Influences of repetitive drop jump and isometric leg press exercises on tendon properties in knee extensors.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of repetitive drop jumps (DJ) and isometric leg presses (LP) on the tendon properties in knee extensors. Before and after each endurance test, the elongation (L) of the tendon and aponeurosis of the vastus lateralis muscle was measured directly by ultrasonography while the subjects performed ramp isometric knee extensions up to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Eight men performed 100 repetitions of the DJ and 50 repetitions of the LP for 10 seconds with 10 seconds relaxation. In the DJ, there were no significant differences in L values at any force production levels before and after each endurance test. In LP, however, the L values above 500 N were significantly greater after the endurance test than before. These results suggest that the tendon properties in knee extensors change to become more compliant after the repeated longer-duration contractions, but not after repeated ballistic exercises.

Adult↗

Effect of strain on actomyosin kinetics in isometric muscle fibers.

Investigations were conducted into the biochemical and mechanical states of cross-bridges during isometric muscle contraction. Rapid length steps (3 or 6 nm hs(-1)) were applied to rabbit psoas fibers, permeabilized and isometric, at either 12 degrees C or 20 degrees C. Fibers were activated by photolysis of P(3)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethyl ester of ATP infused into rigor fibers at saturating Ca(2+). Sarcomere length, tension, and phosphate release were recorded-the latter using the MDCC-PBP fluorescent probe. A reduction in strain, induced by a rapid release step, produced a short-lived acceleration of phosphate release. Rates of the phosphate transient and that of phases 3 and 4 of tension recovery were unaffected by step size but were elevated at higher temperatures. In contrast the amplitude of the phosphate transient was smaller at 20 degrees C than 12 degrees C. The presence of 0.5 or 1.0 mM added ADP during a release step reduced both the rate of tension recovery and the poststep isometric tension. A kinetic scheme is presented to simulate the observed data and to precisely determine the rate constants for the elementary steps of the ATPase cycle.

Actins↗

Evaluation of electromyographic activity and heart rate responses to isometric exercise. The role played by muscular mass and type.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the electromyographic (EMG) activity and heart rate (HR) responses induced by isometric exercise performed by knee extension (KE) and flexion (KF) in men. Fifteen healthy male subjects, 21 +/- 1.3 years (mean +/- SD), were submitted to KE and KF isometric exercise tests at 100% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The exercises were performed with one leg (right or left) and with two legs simultaneously, for 10 s in the sitting position with the hip and knee flexed at 90 degrees. EMG activity (root mean square values) and HR (beats/min) were recorded simultaneously both at rest and throughout the sustained contraction. The HR responses to isometric exercise in KE and KF were similar when performed with one and two legs. However, the HR increase was always significantly higher in KE than KF (P < 0.05), whereas the EMG activity was higher in KE than in KF (P < 0.05), regardless of the muscle mass (one or two legs) involved in the effort. The correlation coefficients between HR response and the EMG activity during KE (r = 0.33, P > 0.05) and KF (r = 0.15, P > 0.05) contractions were not significant. These results suggest that the predominant mechanism responsible for the larger increase in HR response to KE as compared to KF in our study could be dependent on qualitative and quantitative differences in the fiber type composition found in each muscle group. This mechanism seems to demand a higher activation of motor units with a corresponding increase in central command to the cardiovascular centers that modulate HR control.

Adult↗

Contribution of intramuscular oxidative metabolism to total ATP production during forearm isometric exercise at varying intensities.

It is not fully clear whether intramuscular oxidative metabolism contributes to total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production during forearm isometric exercise at varying intensities. We tested hypothesis that oxidative metabolism with intramuscular O2 contributes to lessen the dependence on anaerobic metabolism, in particular phosphocreatine (PCr) breakdown. Seven male subjects were tested for changes in muscle oxygenation (MO2) and high-energy phosphates in forearm flexor muscles at rest and during exercise under arterial occlusion by 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Isometric wrist flexion exercise was performed for 1 min or until exhaustion at intensities corresponding to 30%, 50% and 70% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) under intramuscular O2 (Intramuscular O2-Ex) and anaerobic (Anaero-Ex) conditions. Oxidative ATP production in Intramuscular O2-Ex was calculated as 0.05 +/- 0.01 mM/s for 30%MVC, 0.08 +/- 0.01 mM/s for 50%MVC and 0.11 +/- 0.01 mM/s for 70%MVC. At a lower intensity (30%MVC), PCr breakdown rate (0.17 +/- 0.02 mM/s) of Anaero-Ex was significantly higher than the rate (0.13 +/- 0.01 mM/s) of Intramuscular O2-Ex (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ATP production rates through PCr breakdown and glycolysis between Intramuscular O2-Ex and Anaero-Ex at the higher intensities (50% and 70%MVC). In conclusion, intramuscular oxidative metabolism plays a significant role in reducing the dependence on PCr breakdown during isometric exercise at a lower intensity (30%MVC).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The influence of location of electrode on muscle fiber conduction velocity and EMG power spectrum during voluntary isometric contraction measured with surface array electrodes.

A surface array electrode was used to investigate muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) and EMG power spectrum during voluntary isometric contraction of m. biceps brachii. The mean power frequency (MPF) and the total power (TP) at various locations of the muscle were obtained from the power spectrum. MFCVs at various locations of the muscle were measured directly using the averaging method. The values of MPF, TP and MFCV were identified with respect to the electrode locations on the m. biceps brachii. MPF was shown as high near the end-plate and low near the tendon of the muscle during contraction of 40% of isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). TP showed low value near the end-plate and the tendon of the muscle fiber and different values at different location setting electrode during voluntary isometric contraction. TP at each location on the muscle surface increased when the contraction levels increased in the contractions range of 20 to 60% MVC. MFCVs showed a high value near the end-plate and the tendon of the muscle during the contraction of 40% MVC. These results indicated that MPF, TP and MFCV at different locations on the muscle were different along the length of the muscle fiber.

Adult↗

Cardiorespiratory reactions to static, isometric exercise in man.

Cardiac output (Q), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), and respiratory variables were measured in ten healthy men performing static, isometric muscular contraction (handgrip) during air breathing. We found an instantaneous rise in ventilation (VI) and in HR, accompanied by a minimal rise in cardiac output. The rise in VI was due to a rise in tidal volume (VT) and a reduction in expiratory duration (TE). These effects of isometric exercise are explainable as due to a muscle reflex instantly inhibiting the cardiac, vagal motoneurons and, at the same time, stimulating neurons in the respiratory area of the medulla. These medullary neurons seem capable of independent operation. The rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP) during isometric exercise is 27% just as the rise in total peripheral vascular resistance (TPVR). The MAP rise is too high to be caused by vascular occlusion due to the high tension of contracted muscles in only one upper extremity. Thus, redistribution of Q in the system of many parallel vascular resistances is a likely possibility--with possible cutaneous vasodilation and dominating vasoconstriction of other vascular regions.

Adult↗

Hybrid logistic characterization of isometric twitch force-time curve of intact blood-perfused canine right ventricular papillary muscle.

We previously found that a ventricular isovolumic pressure-time curve could be well fitted by the difference between two S-shaped logistic curves for the pressure rising and falling components, and called it "hybrid logistic" function: P(t)=A/[1+exp[-(4B/A)(t-C)]]-D/[1+exp[-(4E/D)(t-F)]]+G. We reported that the parameters of this hybrid logistic function are useful to characterize left ventricular contraction and relaxation comprehensively. In this study, we investigated how well this hybrid logistic function could fit the isometric twitch force-time curves of cross-circulated right ventricular papillary muscles of 7 dogs. This function precisely fitted the isometric force curves with correlation coefficients above 0.9996, much better than another fitting function (F(t)=C(t/A)(B)exp[1-(t/A)(B)]) proposed by Nwasokwa. The present results indicate that our hybrid logistic function can also reasonably express the canine right ventricular papillary muscle isometric twitch force-time curve. We suggest the possibility that the parameters of this hybrid logistic function are also useful to comprehensively characterize right ventricular papillary muscle twitch contraction and relaxation.

Animals↗

Infrared thermography of bullfrog skeletal muscle at rest and during an isometric tetanus.

Heat production in skeletal muscle has been studied with a thermopile consisting of several thermocouples in contact with muscle surface, and the experimental results have been interpreted on the assumption that heat is produced in a uniform manner. In the present study we have examined the temperature distribution of bullfrog sartorius muscle by the technique of infrared thermography, in which muscle temperatures at various regions can be measured and displayed as a thermogram on the monitor screen without thermal contact. It was found that in the muscle at rest and during an isometric tetanus, the temperature was not uniform, but differed from region to region. The amount of heat production during an isometric tetanus also differed from region to region, but the time course of heat production was nearly uniform in every region. By putting position markers on the muscle surface, it was possible to record muscle segment length changes together with temperature changes. It was found that during an isometric tetanus, the tibial region was stretched by the other regions, and the amount of heat produced was significantly greater in the other regions than in the tibial region. The application of infrared thermography in muscle energetics studies seems promising if the sensitivity of infrared detectors is improved.

Animals↗

[Changes of muscle activities in neck and shoulder region during sustained isometric contractions of jaw muscles].

Eight healthy participants performed horizontal isometric jaw movements with maximum voluntary contractions of the jaw muscles until they could not tolerate the task. Electromyographic activities bilaterally recorded from the superior and inferior regions of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the nuchal and shoulder regions of the trapezius muscle were observed. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In more than 94% of 32 trials, the amplitude of EMGs during the task were higher than those at rest, and in more than 79%, temporal changes in EMG burst were synchronized with the onset-offset of the exercise. 2. In more than 72% of all trials, small amplitude EMG lasted after cessation of the task. 3. Muscle activities of the lateral cervical region during the exercise were superior to the activity of the nuchal and shoulder regions, and amplitude of EMGs in the neck and shoulder regions tended to be the highest during isometric retrusion. 4. These results don't contradict with our hypotheses that occlusal habits might be one cause of the unpleasant sensation in the neck and shoulder regions and that sustained isometric retrusion might have heavier effects on it.

Adult↗

Timing of anticipatory responses following an isometric contraction.

The effects on timing of anticipation following an isometric contraction were investigated. Using a Bassin timer, 35 subjects performed 10 trials for each of 4 forewarning periods at 3 stimulus speeds resulting in 120 trials for the control condition. An additional 120 trials were performed by all subjects following an isometric contraction for each trial. Over all trials, average responses indicated early anticipation of the timing target. The shortest forewarning period and slowest speed of stimulus produced the earliest responses and the longest forewarning period and fastest speed of stimulus produced responses closest to temporal coincidence. Subjects responded faster after the isometric contraction. Significant differences were observed for the main effects of forewarning period and speed of the stimulus. A significant interaction resulted for condition by forewarning periods. The postcontraction condition produced a significantly earlier average response than the control condition for all but the shortest forewarning period. The findings supported the concept that the time needed to respond during postcontraction effects is reduced. With prior contraction, anticipatory timing gradually diminished over time following the contraction.

Adolescent↗