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Mohammadalinejad G, Afsharipour B, Yacyshyn A, Duchcherer J, Bashuk J, Bennett E, Pearcey GEP, Negro F, Quinlan KA, Bennett DJ, Gorassini MA. Intrinsic motoneuron properties in typical human development. J Physiol 2024; 602:2061-2087. [PMID: 38554126 DOI: 10.1113/jp285756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Motoneuron properties and their firing patterns undergo significant changes throughout development and in response to neuromodulators such as serotonin. Here, we examined the age-related development of self-sustained firing and general excitability of tibialis anterior motoneurons in a young development (7-17 years), young adult (18-28 years) and adult (32-53 years) group, as well as in a separate group of participants taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, aged 11-28 years). Self-sustained firing, as measured by ΔF, was larger in the young development (∼5.8 Hz, n = 20) compared to the young adult (∼4.9 Hz, n = 13) and adult (∼4.8 Hz, n = 8) groups, consistent with a developmental decrease in self-sustained firing mediated by persistent inward currents (PIC). ΔF was also larger in participants taking SSRIs (∼6.5 Hz, n = 9) compared to their age-matched controls (∼5.3 Hz, n = 26), consistent with increased levels of spinal serotonin facilitating the motoneuron PIC. Participants in the young development and SSRI groups also had higher firing rates and a steeper acceleration in initial firing rates (secondary ranges), consistent with the PIC producing a steeper acceleration in membrane depolarization at the onset of motoneuron firing. In summary, both the young development and SSRI groups exhibited increased intrinsic motoneuron excitability compared to the adults, which, in the young development group, was also associated with a larger unsteadiness in the dorsiflexion torque profiles. We propose several intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect both motoneuron PICs and cell discharge which vary during development, with a time course similar to the changes in motoneuron firing behaviour observed in the present study. KEY POINTS: Neurons in the spinal cord that activate muscles in the limbs (motoneurons) undergo increases in excitability shortly after birth to help animals stand and walk. We examined whether the excitability of human ankle flexor motoneurons also continues to change from child to adulthood by recording the activity of the muscle fibres they innervate. Motoneurons in children and adolescents aged 7-17 years (young development group) had higher signatures of excitability that included faster firing rates and more self-sustained activity compared to adults aged ≥18 years. Participants aged 11-28 years of age taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors had the highest measures of motoneuron excitability compared to their age-matched controls. The young development group also had more unstable contractions, which might partly be related to the high excitability of the motoneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazaleh Mohammadalinejad
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Babak Afsharipour
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alex Yacyshyn
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jennifer Duchcherer
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jack Bashuk
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Erin Bennett
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gregory E P Pearcey
- School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's Canada and Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Francesco Negro
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Universita degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italia
| | - Katharina A Quinlan
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - David J Bennett
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Monica A Gorassini
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Dideriksen J, Del Vecchio A. Adaptations in motor unit properties underlying changes in recruitment, rate coding, and maximum force. J Neurophysiol 2023; 129:235-246. [PMID: 36515411 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00222.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in the discharge characteristics of motor units as well as in the maximum force-producing capacity of the muscle are observed following training, aging, and fatiguability. The ability to measure the adaptations in the neuromuscular properties underlying these changes experimentally, however, is limited. In this study we used a computational model to systematically investigate the effects of various neural and muscular adaptations on motor unit recruitment thresholds, average motor unit discharge rates in submaximal contractions, and maximum force. The primary focus was to identify candidate adaptations that can explain experimentally observed changes in motor unit discharge characteristics after 4 wk of strength training (Del Vecchio A, Casolo A, Negro F, Scorcelletti M, Bazzucchi I, Enoka R, Felici F, Farina D. J Physiol 597: 1873-1887, 2019). The simulation results indicated that multiple combinations of adaptations, likely involving an increase in maximum discharge rate across motor units, may occur after such training. On a more general level, we found that the magnitude of the adaptations scales linearly with the change in recruitment thresholds, discharge rates, and maximum force. In addition, the combination of multiple adaptations can be predicted as the linear sum of their individual effects. Together, this implies that the outcomes of the simulations can be generalized to predict the effect of any combination of neural and muscular adaptations. In this way, the study provides a tool for estimating potential underlying adaptations in neural and muscular properties to explain any change in commonly used measures of rate coding, recruitment, and maximum force.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our ability to measure adaptations in neuromuscular properties in vivo is limited. Using a computational model, we quantify the effect of multiple neuromuscular adaptations on common measures of motor unit recruitment, rate coding, and force-producing capacity. Scaling and combining adaptations had a near-linear effect on these measures, indicating that the results can explain and predict neuromuscular adaptations in a wide range of conditions, including, but not limited to, strength training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Dideriksen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Lulic-Kuryllo T, Greig Inglis J. Sex differences in motor unit behaviour: A review. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2022; 66:102689. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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Li X, Huang C, Lu Z, Wang I, Klein CS, Zhang L, Zhou P. Distribution of innervation zone and muscle fiber conduction velocity in the biceps brachii muscle. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2022; 63:102637. [PMID: 35176686 PMCID: PMC8960364 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The spatial distributions of muscle innervation zone (IZ) and muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) were examined in nine healthy young male participants. High-density surface electromyography (EMG) was collected from the biceps brachii muscle when subjects performed isometric elbow flexions at 20% to 80% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). A total of 9498 samples of IZs were identified and CVs were calculated using the Radon transform. The center and width of IZ sample distribution were compared within four different force levels and six medial to lateral electrode column positions using repeated measures ANOVA and multiple comparison tests. Significant shifts of IZ center were observed in the medial columns (Columns 5, 6, and 7) compared with the lateral columns (Columns 3 and 4) (p < 0.05). Similarly, significant differences in the IZ width were found in Column 7 and 8 compared to Column 3 (p < 0.05). In contrast, muscle CV was unaffected by column position. Instead, muscle CV was faster at 40% and 80% MVC compared to 20% MVC (p < 0.05). The findings of this study add further insights into the physiological properties of the biceps brachii muscle.
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Khurram OU, Pearcey GEP, Chardon MK, Kim EH, García M, Heckman CJ. The Cellular Basis for the Generation of Firing Patterns in Human Motor Units. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 28:233-258. [PMID: 36066828 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07167-6_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Motor units, which comprise a motoneuron and the set of muscle fibers it innervates, are the fundamental neuromuscular transducers for all motor commands. The one to one relationship between a motoneuron and its innervated muscle fibers allow motoneuron firing patterns to be readily measured in humans. In this chapter, we summarize the current understanding of the cellular basis for the generation of firing patterns in human motor units. We provide a brief review of landmark insights from classic studies and then proceed to consider the features of motor unit firing patterns that are most likely to be sensitive estimators of motoneuron inputs and properties. In addition, we discuss recent advances in technology for recording human motor unit firing patterns and highly realistic computer simulations of motoneurons. The final section presents our recent efforts to use the power of supercomputers for implementation of the motoneuron models, with a goal of achieving a true "reverse engineering" approach that maximizes the insights from motor unit firing patterns into the synaptic structure of motor commands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obaid U Khurram
- Departments of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gregory E P Pearcey
- Departments of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthieu K Chardon
- Departments of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Edward H Kim
- Departments of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marta García
- Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering, Evanston, IL, USA
- Computational Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - C J Heckman
- Departments of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Abstract
The purpose of our review was to compare the distribution of motor unit properties across human muscles of different sizes and recruitment ranges. Although motor units can be distinguished based on several different attributes, we focused on four key parameters that have a significant influence on the force produced by muscle during voluntary contractions: the number of motor units, average innervation number, the distributions of contractile characteristics, and discharge rates within motor unit pools. Despite relatively few publications on this topic, current data indicate that the most influential factor in the distribution of these motor unit properties between muscles is innervation number. Nonetheless, despite a fivefold difference in innervation number between a hand muscle (first dorsal interosseus) and a lower leg muscle (tibialis anterior), the general organization of their motor unit pools, and the range of discharge rates appear to be relatively similar. These observations provide foundational knowledge for studies on the control of movement and the changes that occur with aging and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Duchateau
- Laboratory of Applied Biology and Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roger M Enoka
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
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Reece TM, Arnold CE, Herda TJ. An examination of motor unit firing rates during steady torque of maximal efforts with either an explosive or slower rate of torque development. Exp Physiol 2021; 106:2517-2530. [PMID: 34676609 DOI: 10.1113/ep089808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? The aim was to explore agonist and antagonist motor unit firing rates during maximal efforts performed with either an explosive or a slower rate of torque development. What is the main finding and its importance? The antagonist muscle presented a motor unit firing rate relationship similar to the agonist muscle. Additionally, the motor units of both muscles exhibited higher firing rates during explosive maximal contractions than during maximal contractions performed at a slower rate of torque development. These results could prove useful to future research analysing the effects of age, disease, resistance training and/or fatigue-related alterations to motor unit firing rates. ABSTRACT The primary purpose of the present study was to examine motor unit (MU) firing rates in agonist and antagonist muscles during periods of steady, maximal efforts using explosive and slower rates of torque development. A secondary purpose was to analyse the MU firing rate versus action potential amplitude relationships of the agonist and antagonist muscles during maximal efforts. Thirteen subjects (mean ± SD; age, 21.2 ± 3.6 years; mass 81.1 ± 21.3 kg; and stature, 177.1±9.9 cm) performed two maximal isometric trapezoid muscle actions of the elbow flexors that included either an explosive or a slower, linearly increasing rate (ramp) of torque development. Surface EMG signals of the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles were collected and decomposed into their constituent MU action potential trains. The MU firing rate versus action potential amplitude relationships of the BB (agonist) and TB (antagonist) muscles were analysed. Moderate to strong relationships (|r| ≥ 0.65) were present for the explosive and ramp contractions in the agonist and antagonist muscles. Firing rates of smaller and larger MUs were higher during the explosive [mean ± SD; agonist = 18.1 ± 6.9 pulses per second (pps), antagonist = 22.0±3.9 pps] than the ramp (agonist = 14.0 ± 5.1 pps, antagonist = 18.3 ± 4.4 pps) contractions for the agonist (P = 0.013) and antagonist muscles (P = 0.007). The antagonist muscle exhibits a similar MU firing rate versus action potential amplitude relationship to the agonist muscle at maximal efforts. Future research should investigate the effects of short-term resistance training on antagonist firing rates and the involvement of peripheral feedback on firing rates during maximal efforts performed at various rates of torque development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner M Reece
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Catherine E Arnold
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Trent J Herda
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Kirk EA, Zero AM, Rice CL. Firing rate trajectories of human occipitofrontalis motor units in response to triangular voluntary contraction intensity. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:3661-3670. [PMID: 34617127 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
During voluntary contractions, limb muscle motor unit (MU) firing rates accelerate over a small force range and saturate in response to increasing contraction intensity. In comparison, facial muscles are cranially innervated, and some function without crossing joints. Therefore, the MU firing rate behaviour and characteristics of saturation were explored in a facial muscle that moves skin and facia during voluntary contractions. We evaluated the firing rate trajectory in response to triangular voluntary contraction ramps in the occipitofrontalis muscle of 11 adult participants. Intramuscular electromyography of the frontalis aspect was used to record single MU trains followed up to maximal voluntary contraction intensities. Firing rates were measured from each MU sample, with the firing rate trajectory fit as both exponential (i.e., saturation) and linear models that were compared statistically. The rate coding behaviour of frontalis MUs was broad, as the peak firing rate (mean 76 Hz) was ninefold greater than the firing rate at recruitment threshold (mean 8 Hz). Across 20 MU samples, only 40% (8 MU samples) were determined to have a firing rate trajectory that saturated and had slow acceleration in response to increasing voluntary drive until maximum. The exponential curve of the firing rate trajectory had ~ tenfold lower acceleration as compared to prior reports in limb muscles. These results across all MU samples indicated that voluntary control of the frontalis muscle requires relatively slower accelerating or linear MU firing rate trajectories, suggesting that movements of facial muscles may be directly representative of extrinsic synaptic inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Kirk
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Alexander M Zero
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Charles L Rice
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
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Zero AM, Kirk EA, Hali K, Rice CL. Firing rate trajectories of human motor units during isometric ramp contractions to 10, 25 and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction. Neurosci Lett 2021; 762:136118. [PMID: 34280505 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During low torque graded isometric contractions, motor units (MU) exhibit initial firing rate acceleration followed by saturation demonstrating a non-linear response attributed to persistent inward currents (PICs) which contribute to the net excitatory input. Firing rate saturation studies have been done exclusively at recruitment thresholds of low firing threshold MUs below 10% of isometric maximal voluntary contraction(MVC). It remains unclear whether later recruited (i.e. higher-threshold) MUs follow a similar firing rate trajectory as low-threshold units. Thus, MU firing rate trajectories were explored in relation to MU recruitment threshold (RT) at contraction levels between 10 and 50% of MVC. During graded isometric contractions to 10, 25 and 50% of MVC, single MU potentials were recorded from the tibialis anterior from 5 participants using tungsten microelectrodes. To characterize the firing rate trajectory, each MU train was fit by competing functions of torque as an exponential (i.e. saturated) and simple linear regression, using previous analysis methods (Fuglevand et al. 2015). Throughout a RT range of 0.02-41% of MVC, 261 MUs were compared. In 87% of MUs the better fit was by a linear function, whereas the remaining MUs (13%) were fit better with an exponential (saturated) firing rate trajectory. There was no statistical difference in the number of MUs better fit by the exponential function between low (<10% MVC) and relatively higher threshold MUs (>10% MVC; both p < 0.05). Increasing RT and rate of torque development (RTD) of the ramps were correlated with increased firing rate variability (larger error) in both fits (r = 0.3 and r = 0.4, both p < 0.01). Additionally, there was a 4-fold increase in peak antagonist surface electromyography (EMG) from 10 to 50% MVC contraction ramps. When all MUs were plotted with a normalized firing onset (i.e. 0% MVC) the data visually displayed an initial firing rate acceleration followed by a linear response (biphasic trajectory). Increased synaptic drive and greater antagonist surface EMG during moderate torque outputs may dampen PIC activity as compared with MUs during lower torque (<10% MVC) recruitment levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Zero
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Eric A Kirk
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kalter Hali
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Charles L Rice
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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Morozumi K, Ohsugi H, Morishita K, Yokoi Y. Fundamental research on surface electromyography analysis using discrete wavelet transform-an analysis of the central nervous system factors affecting muscle strength. J Phys Ther Sci 2021; 33:63-68. [PMID: 33519077 PMCID: PMC7829554 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.33.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] We aimed to investigate the central nervous system factors that affect muscle
strength based on the differences in load and time using the discrete wavelet transform,
which is capable of a time-frequency-potential analysis. [Participants and Methods]
Surface electromyography (EMG) of the right upper bicep muscle in 16 healthy adult males
were measured at 10% MVC (maximum voluntary isometric contraction), 30%, 50%, 70%, and 80%
to 100% MVC. We used a discrete wavelet transform for the electromyographic analysis and
calculated the median instantaneous frequency spectrum (MDF) and frequency band component
content rate (FCR) at 1-ms intervals as well as their spectrum integrated values (I-EMG).
[Results] MDF and FCR tended to be high throughout the measurements. Specifically, the
high-frequency band component content rate was high at the time of low muscle strength;
fast-twitch muscle fibers may be involved during these muscle contractions. We found
significant changes in the I-EMG as the muscle strength increased from 10% MVC to 100%
MVC. [Conclusion] Analyzing the surface electromyograph using discrete wavelet transform
enabled us to assess the central nervous system factors that increase in the EMG amplitude
integrated values and change in the median instantaneous frequency spectrum and in the
frequency band component content rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Morozumi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Work Studies, Josai International University: 1 Gumyo, Togane, Chiba 283-8555, Japan
| | - Hironori Ohsugi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Work Studies, Josai International University: 1 Gumyo, Togane, Chiba 283-8555, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Morishita
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Work Studies, Josai International University: 1 Gumyo, Togane, Chiba 283-8555, Japan
| | - Yuka Yokoi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Work Studies, Josai International University: 1 Gumyo, Togane, Chiba 283-8555, Japan
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Is the 'reverse onion skin' phenomenon more prevalent than we thought during intramuscular myoelectric recordings from low to maximal force outputs? Neurosci Lett 2020; 743:135583. [PMID: 33352279 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
There are isolated instances in the literature that suggest the 'onion skin' phenomenon is not always present. That is, newly recruited high threshold motor units (MU) have higher discharge rates than previously recruited low threshold MUs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to investigate the presence of the 'onion skin' phenomenon in a large sample of intramuscular myoelectric recordings from low to maximal force outputs. Forty-eight participants performed rapid isometric dorsiflexion contractions at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 % MVC while intramuscular electrical activity was recorded. A bivariate frequency-distribution of the motor unit discharge rate and motor unit action potential peak-to-peak (P-P) amplitude was assessed. There was a significant difference in bivariate frequency-distribution across force levels (D's = 0.1083-0.3094, p's < 0.001). Newly recruited high threshold MUs did have lower discharge rates, but there was an increase in the presence of high threshold, large P-P amplitude MUs with higher discharge rates than lower threshold MUs (reverse onion skin) during the stable portion of the force output. The recruitment of high threshold MUs with higher discharge rates decreased the level of common drive from the cross-correlation (Rxy) = 0.79 at 20 % MVC to Rxy = 0.68 at 100 % MVC (p < 0.01), but it remained high. As the interference pattern becomes more complex with the recruitment of more motor units at higher force outputs, intramuscular electrodes may be more discriminating while recording motor unit activity leading to the identification of both the 'reverse onion skin' and 'onion skin' phenomenon being present.
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Borzelli D, Gazzoni M, Botter A, Gastaldi L, d'Avella A, Vieira TM. Contraction level, but not force direction or wrist position, affects the spatial distribution of motor unit recruitment in the biceps brachii muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 2020; 120:853-860. [PMID: 32076830 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04324-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Different motor units (MUs) in the biceps brachii (BB) muscle have been shown to be preferentially recruited during either elbow flexion or supination. Whether these different units reside within different regions is an open issue. In this study, we tested wheter MUs recruited during submaximal isometric tasks of elbow flexion and supination for two contraction levels and with the wrist fixed at two different angles are spatially localized in different BB portions. METHODS The MUs' firing instants were extracted by decomposing high-density surface electromyograms (EMG), detected from the BB muscle of 12 subjects with a grid of electrodes (4 rows along the BB longitudinal axis, 16 columns medio-laterally). The firing instants were then used to trigger and average single-differential EMGs. The average rectified value was computed separately for each signal and the maximal value along each column in the grid was retained. The center of mass, defined as the weighted mean of the maximal, average rectified value across columns, was then consdiered to assess the medio-lateral changes in the MU surface representation between conditions. RESULTS Contraction level, but neither wrist position nor force direction (flexion vs. supination), affected the spatial distribution of BB MUs. In particular, higher forces were associated with the recruitment of BB MUs whose action potentials were represented more medially. CONCLUSION Although the action potentials of BB MUs were represented locally across the muscle medio-lateral region, dicrimination between elbow flexion or supination seems unlikely from the surface representation of MUs action potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Borzelli
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy. .,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.
| | - Marco Gazzoni
- Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN), Department of Electronic and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.,PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Alberto Botter
- Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN), Department of Electronic and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.,PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Gastaldi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.,Department of Mathematical Sciences, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea d'Avella
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy.,Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Taian M Vieira
- Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN), Department of Electronic and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.,PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
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Hali K, Dalton BH, Harwood B, Fessler AF, Power GA, Rice CL. Differential Modulation of Motor Unit Properties from the Separate Components of the Triceps Surae in Humans. Neuroscience 2020; 428:192-198. [PMID: 31917353 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The triceps surae is comprised of the soleus, and medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemii. Modulation of triceps surae motor units (MUs) is context- and muscle-dependent, yet it is unknown how the disparate components of the triceps surae work together to achieve the common goal of high-intensity voluntary isometric plantar flexion torque gradation. Thus, the purpose was to assess the interrelationships between MU recruitment thresholds (MURTs) and MU discharge rates (MUDRs) among these three muscles during contractions from low to high intensities. We sampled 157 MU action potential trains from the MG (68), LG (38) and soleus (51) using fine-wire intramuscular electromyography (EMG) during voluntary ramp isometric contractions up to 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The soleus exhibited 41% and 54% lower MURTs compared to the MG (p < 0.0001) and LG (p < 0.0001), respectively, whereas MG MURTs were 22% lower than the LG (p < 0.0001). Initial MUDRs were 35% and 26% greater for the LG compared with the MG (p < 0.0001) and soleus (p < 0.0001), but no difference was detected between the MG and soleus (p = 0.28). Finally, initial MUDRs displayed a positive relationship with MURTs for each independent triceps surae component (p ≤ 0.002). The relative differences in MU properties of each muscle in this synergistic group illustrate that MU control strategies are likely optimized with respect to the relative contribution of each muscle to plantar flexion torque or functional roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalter Hali
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian H Dalton
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Brad Harwood
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew F Fessler
- Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
| | - Geoffrey A Power
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles L Rice
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Wernbom M, Aagaard P. Muscle fibre activation and fatigue with low-load blood flow restricted resistance exercise-An integrative physiology review. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020; 228:e13302. [PMID: 31108025 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Blood flow-restricted resistance exercise (BFRRE) has been shown to induce increases in muscle size and strength, and continues to generate interest from both clinical and basic research points of view. The low loads employed, typically 20%-50% of the one repetition maximum, make BFRRE an attractive training modality for individuals who may not tolerate high musculoskeletal forces (eg, selected clinical patient groups such as frail old adults and patients recovering from sports injury) and/or for highly trained athletes who have reached a plateau in muscle mass and strength. It has been proposed that achieving a high degree of muscle fibre recruitment is important for inducing muscle hypertrophy with BFRRE, and the available evidence suggest that fatiguing low-load exercise during ischemic conditions can recruit both slow (type I) and fast (type II) muscle fibres. Nevertheless, closer scrutiny reveals that type II fibre activation in BFRRE has to date largely been inferred using indirect methods such as electromyography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, while only rarely addressed using more direct methods such as measurements of glycogen stores and phosphocreatine levels in muscle fibres. Hence, considerable uncertainity exists about the specific pattern of muscle fibre activation during BFRRE. Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review was (1) to summarize the evidence on muscle fibre recruitment during BFRRE as revealed by various methods employed for determining muscle fibre usage during exercise, and (2) to discuss reported findings in light of the specific advantages and limitations associated with these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Wernbom
- Center for Health and Performance, Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Per Aagaard
- Department of Sports Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Muscle Research Cluster (SMRC) University of Southern Denmark Odense M Denmark
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Tomko PM, Colquhoun RJ, Banks NF, Magrini MA, Muddle TWD, Jenkins NDM. Maximal contraction methods influence the magnitude and reliability of global electromyographic signal characteristics. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2019; 48:121-127. [PMID: 31344640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose was two-fold: (1) to examine differences in maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVIT) production, and electromyographic signal amplitude (EMGAMP) and mean power frequency (EMGMPF) values obtained during traditional (MVICTRAD), rapid (MVICRAPID), and ramp (MVICRAMP) maximal voluntary isometric contractions, and (2) to determine if there were differences in the reliability of MVIT, EMGAMP and EMGMPF among the three MVIC types. APPROACH Twenty-two young males and females completed MVICTRAD, MVICRAPID, and MVICRAMP muscle actions on two separate visits separated by 48 h. During all MVICs, MVIT and EMGAMP and EMGMPF of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) were quantified. MAIN RESULTS MVIT was greater during MVICTRAD and MVICRAPID than during MVITRAMP (both p < 0.001). VL and RF EMGAMP were greater during MVICRAMP than during MVICRAPID (p = 0.02 and 0.004). For EMGMPF, there were no significant differences among MVIC types. Although all MVIC types generally resulted in reliable measurements of MVIT and EMGAMP, reliability was stronger for EMGMPF quantified during the MVICRAMP. SIGNIFICANCE Investigators may choose MVIC type based on preference or equipment availability. However, investigators should note that MVICRAMP contractions will likely yield the greatest EMGAMP values and more reliable measurements of VL and RF EMGMPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Tomko
- Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - Ryan J Colquhoun
- Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - Nile F Banks
- Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - Mitchel A Magrini
- Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - Tyler W D Muddle
- Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - Nathaniel D M Jenkins
- Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, United States.
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Enoka RM. Physiological validation of the decomposition of surface EMG signals. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2019; 46:70-83. [PMID: 31003192 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in technology have ushered in a new era in the measurement and interpretation of surface-recorded electromyographic (EMG) signals. These developments have included improvements in detection systems, the algorithms used to decompose the interference signals, and the strategies used to edit the identified waveforms. To evaluate the validity of the results obtained with this new technology, the purpose of this review was to compare the results achieved by decomposing surface-recorded EMG signals into the discharge times of single motor units with what is known about the rate coding characteristics of single motor units based on recordings obtained with intramuscular electrodes. The characteristics compared were peak discharge rate, saturation of discharge rate during submaximal contractions, rate coding during fast contractions, the association between oscillations in force and discharge rate, and adjustments during fatiguing contractions. The comparison indicates that some decomposition methods are able to replicate many of the findings derived from intramuscular recordings, but additional improvements in the methods are required. Critically, more effort needs to be focused on editing the waveforms identified by the decomposition algorithms. With adequate attention to detail, this technology has the potential to augment our knowledge on motor unit physiology and to provide useful approaches that are being translated into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger M Enoka
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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Enoka RM, Duchateau J. Rate Coding and the Control of Muscle Force. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a029702. [PMID: 28348173 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The force exerted by a muscle during a voluntary contraction depends on the number of motor units recruited for the action and the rates at which they discharge action potentials (rate coding). Over most of the operating range of a muscle, the nervous system controls muscle force by varying both motor unit recruitment and rate coding. Except at relatively low forces, however, the control of muscle force depends primarily on rate coding, especially during fast contractions. This review provides five examples of how the modulation of rate coding influences the force exerted by muscle during voluntary actions. The five examples comprise fast contractions, lengthening and shortening contractions, steady isometric contractions, fatiguing contractions, and contractions performed after a change in the daily level of physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger M Enoka
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0354
| | - Jacques Duchateau
- Laboratory of Applied Biology and Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Piotrkiewicz M, Türker KS. Onion Skin or Common Drive? Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:2. [PMID: 28154526 PMCID: PMC5243795 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Piotrkiewicz
- Department of Engineering of Nervous and Muscular System, Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kemal S Türker
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research, Koç University School of Medicine Istanbul, Turkey
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Chow JW, Stokic DS. Variability, frequency composition, and temporal regularity of submaximal isometric elbow flexion force in subacute stroke. Exp Brain Res 2016; 234:3145-3155. [PMID: 27370944 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-016-4712-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We compared variability, frequency composition, and temporal regularity of submaximal isometric elbow flexion force at 10, 20, 35, and 50 % of peak torque between 34 stroke subjects (5-48 days post-onset, both arms) and 24 age-matched controls (dominant arm), and related the findings in the paretic arm to motor impairment. Force variability was quantified by the coefficient of variation (CV), frequency composition by the median frequency and relative power in 0-3-, 4-6-, and 8-12-Hz bands, and regularity by the sample entropy (SampEn). The paretic elbow flexors showed significantly increased CV and relative power in 0-3-Hz band, decreased power in 4-6- and 8-12-Hz bands, and decreased SampEn compared to both the non-paretic and control elbow flexors (P ≤ 0.0002), with no differences between the latter two (P ≥ 0.012). With increasing contraction intensity, the relative power in different frequency bands was insufficiently modulated and SampEn excessively decreased in the paretic elbow flexors. Also, CV in the paretic elbow flexors was non-linearly related to the relative power in different frequency bands and SampEn across contraction intensities (rectangular hyperbolic fit, 0.21 ≤ R 2 ≤ 0.55, P ≤ 0.006), whereas no force parameter correlated with arm motor impairment. These results largely extend our previous findings in the paretic knee extensors to the elbow flexors in subacute stroke, except that here force variability was increased only in the paretic elbow flexors and modulation of force regularity with increasing contraction intensity showed the opposite, decreasing pattern, which was considerably exaggerated in the paretic muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Chow
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, 1350 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
| | - Dobrivoje S Stokic
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, 1350 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
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20
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Trevino MA, Herda TJ, Fry AC, Gallagher PM, Vardiman JP, Mosier EM, Miller JD. Influence of the contractile properties of muscle on motor unit firing rates during a moderate-intensity contraction in vivo. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:552-62. [PMID: 27146989 PMCID: PMC4978784 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01021.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is suggested that firing rate characteristics of motor units (MUs) are influenced by the physical properties of the muscle. However, no study has correlated MU firing rates at recruitment, targeted force, or derecruitment with the contractile properties of the muscle in vivo. Twelve participants (age = 20.67 ± 2.35 yr) performed a 40% isometric maximal voluntary contraction of the leg extensors that included linearly increasing, steady force, and decreasing segments. Muscle biopsies were collected with myosin heavy chain (MHC) content quantified, and surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis. The EMG signal was decomposed into the firing events of single MUs. Slopes and y-intercepts were calculated for 1) firing rates at recruitment vs. recruitment threshold, 2) mean firing rates at steady force vs. recruitment threshold, and 3) firing rates at derecruitment vs. derecruitment threshold relationships for each subject. Correlations among type I %MHC isoform content and the slopes and y-intercepts from the three relationships were examined. Type I %MHC isoform content was correlated with MU firing rates at recruitment (y-intercepts: r = -0.577; slopes: r = 0.741) and targeted force (slopes: r = 0.853) vs. recruitment threshold and MU firing rates at derecruitment (y-intercept: r = -0.597; slopes: r = 0.701) vs. derecruitment threshold relationships. However, the majority of the individual MU firing rates vs. recruitment and derecruitment relationships were not significant (P > 0.05) and, thus, revealed no systematic pattern. In contrast, MU firing rates during the steady force demonstrated a systematic pattern with higher firing rates for the lower- than higher-threshold MUs and were correlated with the physical properties of MUs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trent J Herda
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas;
| | - Andrew C Fry
- Applied Physiology Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; and
| | - Philip M Gallagher
- Applied Physiology Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; and
| | - John P Vardiman
- Applied Physiology and Sports Medicine Laboratory, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
| | - Eric M Mosier
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
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Poosapadi Arjunan S, Kumar DK, Wheeler K, Shimada H, Siddiqi A. Effect of number of motor units and muscle fibre type on surface electromyogram. Med Biol Eng Comput 2015. [PMID: 26223565 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-015-1344-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Reduction in number of motor units (nMU) and fast fibre ratio (FFR) is associated with disease or atrophy when this is rapid. There is a need to study the effect of nMU and FFR to analyse the association with ageing and disease. This study has developed a mathematical model to investigate the relationship between nMU and FFR on surface electromyogram (sEMG) of the biceps muscles. The model has been validated by comparing the simulation outcomes with experiments comparing the sEMG of physically active younger and older cohort. The results show that there is statistically significant difference between the two groups, and the simulation studies closely model the experimental results. This model can be applied to identify the cause of muscle weakness among the elderly due to factors such as muscle dystrophy or preferential loss of type F muscle fibres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar Poosapadi Arjunan
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Dinesh Kant Kumar
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Wheeler
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hirokazu Shimada
- Department of Computer and Control Engineering, Oita National College of Technology, Oita, Japan
| | - Ariba Siddiqi
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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22
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De Luca CJ, Contessa P. Biomechanical benefits of the Onion-Skin motor unit control scheme. J Biomech 2014; 48:195-203. [PMID: 25527890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Muscle force is modulated by varying the number of active motor units and their firing rates. For the past five decades, the notion that the magnitude of the firing rates is directly related to motor unit size and recruitment threshold has been widely accepted. This construct, here named the After-hyperpolarization scheme evolved from observations in electrically stimulated cat motoneurons and from reported observations in voluntary contractions in humans. It supports the assumption that the firing rates of motor units match their mechanical properties to "optimize" force production, so that the firing rate range corresponds to that required for force-twitch fusion (tetanization) and effective graduation of muscle force. In contrast, we have shown that, at any time and force during isometric voluntary constant-force contractions in humans, the relationship between firing rate and recruitment threshold is inversely related. We refer to this construct as the Onion-Skin scheme because earlier-recruited motor units always have greater firing rates than latter-recruited ones. By applying a novel mathematical model that calculates the force produced by a muscle for the two schemes we found that the Onion-Skin scheme is more energy efficient, provides smoother muscle force at low to moderate force levels, and appears to be more conducive to evolutionary survival than the After-hyperpolarization scheme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo J De Luca
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Delsys Inc., Natick, MA 01760, USA.
| | - Paola Contessa
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Delsys Inc., Natick, MA 01760, USA
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23
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Influence of inter-electrode distance, contraction type, and muscle on the relationship between the sEMG power spectrum and contraction force. Eur J Appl Physiol 2014; 115:627-38. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-014-3041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Hu X, Rymer WZ, Suresh NL. Control of motor unit firing during step-like increases in voluntary force. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:721. [PMID: 25309395 PMCID: PMC4160994 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In most skeletal muscles, force is generated by a combination of motor unit (MU) recruitment and increases in the firing rate of previously active MUs. Two contrasting patterns of firing rate organization have been reported. In the first pattern, the earliest recruited MUs reach the highest firing rates as force is increased, and later recruited MUs fire at lower rates. When firing rate of multiple MUs are superimposed, these rate trajectories form a concentric layered profile termed "onion skin." In the second pattern, called "reverse onion skin," later recruited MUs reach higher firing rates, and crossing of firing rate trajectories for recorded MUs is common (although such trajectories are assembled routinely from different trials). Our present study examined the firing rate organization of concurrently active MUs of the first dorsal interosseous muscle during serial, step-like increases in isometric abduction forces. We used a surface sensor array coupled with MU discrimination algorithms to characterize MU firing patterns. Our objective was to determine whether "onion skin" profiles are contingent upon the force trajectory of the motor task, examined here using step-like increases of force output, and also whether they are manifested at different force levels. Our results revealed that the overall "onion skin" firing rate profile was retained as the force level increased with each force step up to 15% MVC. However, the distribution of firing rates across MUs was compressed with increasing force, and overlapping firing rate of units were observed. This rate compression was largely due to rate saturation of the relatively high frequency discharging MUs. Our results reflect flexible firing patterns across MUs at different levels of excitation drive. It is also evident that many units did not follow all the step increases consistently. This failure to track firing rate increases at higher forces could be due to an intrinsically mediated saturation of firing rates for the low threshold MUs, or potentially to some form of inhibitory interactions between active MUs as the level of excitation of the MU pool is progressively increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Hu
- Single Motor Unit Lab, Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL, USA
| | - William Z. Rymer
- Single Motor Unit Lab, Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Nina L. Suresh
- Single Motor Unit Lab, Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL, USA
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25
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Venugopal G, Ramakrishnan S. Analysis of progressive changes associated with muscle fatigue in dynamic contraction of biceps brachii muscle using surface EMG signals and bispectrum features. Biomed Eng Lett 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13534-014-0135-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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26
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Defreitas JM, Beck TW, Ye X, Stock MS. Synchronization of low- and high-threshold motor units. Muscle Nerve 2014; 49:575-83. [PMID: 23893653 DOI: 10.1002/mus.23978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We examined the degree of synchronization for both low- and high-threshold motor unit (MU) pairs at high force levels. METHODS MU spike trains were recorded from the quadriceps during high-force isometric leg extensions. Short-term synchronization (between -6 and 6 ms) was calculated for every unique MU pair for each contraction. RESULTS At high force levels, earlier recruited motor unit pairs (low-threshold) demonstrated relatively low levels of short-term synchronization (approximately 7.3% extra firings than would have been expected by chance). However, the magnitude of synchronization increased significantly and linearly with mean recruitment threshold (reaching 22.1% extra firings for motor unit pairs recruited above 70% MVC). CONCLUSIONS Three potential mechanisms that could explain the observed differences in synchronization across motor unit types are proposed and discussed.
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Thomas CK, Bakels R, Klein CS, Zijdewind I. Human spinal cord injury: motor unit properties and behaviour. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2014; 210:5-19. [PMID: 23901835 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in widespread variation in muscle function. Review of motor unit data shows that changes in the amount and balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs after SCI alter management of motoneurons. Not only are units recruited up to higher than usual relative forces when SCI leaves few units under voluntary control, the force contribution from recruitment increases due to elevation of twitch/tetanic force ratios. Force gradation and precision are also coarser with reduced unit numbers. Maximal unit firing rates are low in hand muscles, limiting voluntary strength, but are low, normal or high in limb muscles. Unit firing rates during spasms can exceed voluntary rates, emphasizing that deficits in descending drive limit force production. SCI also changes muscle properties. Motor unit weakness and fatigability seem universal across muscles and species, increasing the muscle weakness that arises from paralysis of units, motoneuron death and sensory impairment. Motor axon conduction velocity decreases after human SCI. Muscle contractile speed is also reduced, which lowers the stimulation frequencies needed to grade force when paralysed muscles are activated with patterned electrical stimulation. This slowing does not necessarily occur in hind limb muscles after cord transection in cats and rats. The nature, duration and level of SCI underlie some of these species differences, as do variations in muscle function, daily usage, tract control and fibre-type composition. Exploring this diversity is important to promote recovery of the hand, bowel, bladder and locomotor function most wanted by people with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. K. Thomas
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Departments of Neurological Surgery, and Physiology and Biophysics; University of Miami; Miami FL USA
| | - R. Bakels
- Department of Neuroscience; University Medical Center Groningen; University of Groningen; Groningen the Netherlands
| | - C. S. Klein
- Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago; Chicago IL USA
| | - I. Zijdewind
- Department of Neuroscience; University Medical Center Groningen; University of Groningen; Groningen the Netherlands
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Abstract
Movement is accomplished by the controlled activation of motor unit populations. Our understanding of motor unit physiology has been derived from experimental work on the properties of single motor units and from computational studies that have integrated the experimental observations into the function of motor unit populations. The article provides brief descriptions of motor unit anatomy and muscle unit properties, with more substantial reviews of motoneuron properties, motor unit recruitment and rate modulation when humans perform voluntary contractions, and the function of an entire motor unit pool. The article emphasizes the advances in knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuromodulation of motoneuron activity and attempts to explain the discharge characteristics of human motor units in terms of these principles. A major finding from this work has been the critical role of descending pathways from the brainstem in modulating the properties and activity of spinal motoneurons. Progress has been substantial, but significant gaps in knowledge remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Heckman
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
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29
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Dideriksen JL, Farina D. Motor unit recruitment by size does not provide functional advantages for motor performance. J Physiol 2013; 591:6139-56. [PMID: 24144879 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.262477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
It is commonly assumed that the orderly recruitment of motor units by size provides a functional advantage for the performance of movements compared with a random recruitment order. On the other hand, the excitability of a motor neuron depends on its size and this is intrinsically linked to its innervation number. A range of innervation numbers among motor neurons corresponds to a range of sizes and thus to a range of excitabilities ordered by size. Therefore, if the excitation drive is similar among motor neurons, the recruitment by size is inevitably due to the intrinsic properties of motor neurons and may not have arisen to meet functional demands. In this view, we tested the assumption that orderly recruitment is necessarily beneficial by determining if this type of recruitment produces optimal motor output. Using evolutionary algorithms and without any a priori assumptions, the parameters of neuromuscular models were optimized with respect to several criteria for motor performance. Interestingly, the optimized model parameters matched well known neuromuscular properties, but none of the optimization criteria determined a consistent recruitment order by size unless this was imposed by an association between motor neuron size and excitability. Further, when the association between size and excitability was imposed, the resultant model of recruitment did not improve the motor performance with respect to the absence of orderly recruitment. A consistent observation was that optimal solutions for a variety of criteria of motor performance always required a broad range of innervation numbers in the population of motor neurons, skewed towards the small values. These results indicate that orderly recruitment of motor units in itself does not provide substantial functional advantages for motor control. Rather, the reason for its near-universal presence in human movements is that motor functions are optimized by a broad range of innervation numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob L Dideriksen
- D. Farina, Medical University Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 4,37075 Göttingen, Germany Göttingen 37075 Germany.
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Kelly LA, Racinais S, Cresswell AG. Discharge properties of abductor hallucis before, during, and after an isometric fatigue task. J Neurophysiol 2013; 110:891-8. [PMID: 23678020 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00944.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abductor hallucis is the largest muscle in the arch of the human foot and comprises few motor units relative to its physiological cross-sectional area. It has been described as a postural muscle, aiding in the stabilization of the longitudinal arch during stance and gait. The purpose of this study was to describe the discharge properties of abductor hallucis motor units during ramp and hold isometric contractions, as well as its discharge characteristics during fatigue. Intramuscular electromyographic recordings from abductor hallucis were made in 5 subjects; from those recordings, 42 single motor units were decomposed. Data were recorded during isometric ramp contractions at 60% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), performed before and after a submaximal isometric contraction to failure (mean force 41.3 ± 15.3% MVC, mean duration 233 ± 116 s). Motor unit recruitment thresholds ranged from 10.3 to 54.2% MVC. No significant difference was observed between recruitment and derecruitment thresholds or their respective discharge rates for both the initial and postfatigue ramp contractions (all P > 0.25). Recruitment threshold was positively correlated with recruitment discharge rate (r = 0.47, P < 0.03). All motor units attained similar peak discharge rates (14.0 ± 0.25 pulses/s) and were not correlated with recruitment threshold. Thirteen motor units could be followed during the isometric fatigue task, with a decline in discharge rate and increase in discharge rate variability occurring in the final 25% of the task (both P < 0.05). We have shown that abductor hallucis motor units discharge relatively slowly and are considerably resistant to fatigue. These characteristics may be effective for generating and sustaining the substantial level of force that is required to stabilize the longitudinal arch during weight bearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Kelly
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
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De Luca CJ, Kline JC. Influence of proprioceptive feedback on the firing rate and recruitment of motoneurons. J Neural Eng 2012; 9:016007. [PMID: 22183300 PMCID: PMC3376912 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/9/1/016007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the relationships of the firing rate and maximal recruitment threshold of motoneurons recorded during isometric contraction with the number of spindles in individual muscles. At force levels above 10% of maximal voluntary contraction, the firing rate was inversely related to the number of spindles in a muscle, with the slope of the relationship increasing with force. The maximal recruitment threshold of motor units increased linearly with the number of spindles in the muscle. Thus, muscles with a greater number of spindles had lower firing rates and a greater maximal recruitment threshold. These findings may be explained by a mechanical interaction between muscle fibres and adjacent spindles. During low-level (0% to 10%) voluntary contractions, muscle fibres of recruited motor units produce force twitches that activate nearby spindles to respond with an immediate excitatory feedback that reaches maximal level. As the force increases further, the twitches overlap and tend towards tetanization, the muscle fibres shorten, the spindles slacken, their excitatory firings decrease, and the net excitation to the homonymous motoneurons decreases. Motoneurons of muscles with greater number of spindles receive a greater decrease in excitation which reduces their firing rates, increases their maximal recruitment threshold, and changes the motoneuron recruitment distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J De Luca
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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De Luca CJ, Contessa P. Hierarchical control of motor units in voluntary contractions. J Neurophysiol 2012; 107:178-95. [PMID: 21975447 PMCID: PMC3349682 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00961.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past five decades there has been wide acceptance of a relationship between the firing rate of motor units and the afterhyperpolarization of motoneurons. It has been promulgated that the higher-threshold, larger-soma, motoneurons fire faster than the lower-threshold, smaller-soma, motor units. This relationship was based on studies on anesthetized cats with electrically stimulated motoneurons. We questioned its applicability to motor unit control during voluntary contractions in humans. We found that during linearly force-increasing contractions, firing rates increased as exponential functions. At any time and force level, including at recruitment, the firing rate values were inversely related to the recruitment threshold of the motor unit. The time constants of the exponential functions were directly related to the recruitment threshold. From the Henneman size principle it follows that the characteristics of the firing rates are also related to the size of the soma. The "firing rate spectrum" presents a beautifully simple control scheme in which, at any given time or force, the firing rate value of earlier-recruited motor units is greater than that of later-recruited motor units. This hierarchical control scheme describes a mechanism that provides an effective economy of force generation for the earlier-recruited lower force-twitch motor units, and reduces the fatigue of later-recruited higher force-twitch motor units-both characteristics being well suited for generating and sustaining force during the fight-or-flight response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo J De Luca
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, 19 Deerfield St., Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Rantalainen T, Kłodowski A, Piitulainen H. Effect of innervation zones in estimating biceps brachii force-EMG relationship during isometric contraction. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2011; 22:80-7. [PMID: 22019132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2011.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Revised: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 09/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Measuring muscle forces in vivo is invasive and consequently indirect methods e.g., electromyography (EMG) are used in estimating muscular force production. The aim of the present paper was to examine what kind of effect the disruption of the physiological signal caused by the innervation zone has in predicting the force/torque output from surface EMG. Twelve men (age 26 (SD ±3)years; height 179 (±6)cm; body mass 73 (±6)kg) volunteered as subjects. They were asked to perform maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) in elbow flexion, and submaximal contractions at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 75% of the recorded MVC. EMG was measured from biceps brachii muscle with an electrode grid of 5 columns×13 rows. Force-EMG relationships were determined from individual channels and as the global mean value. The relationship was deemed inconsistent if EMG value did not increase in successive force levels. Root mean squared errors were calculated for 3rd order polynomial fits. All subjects had at least one (4-52) inconsistent channel. Two subjects had inconsistent relationship calculated from the global mean. The mean root mean squared error calculated using leave one out method for the fits of the individual channels (0.33±0.17) was higher (P<0.001) than the error for the global mean fit (0.16±0.08). It seems that the disruption of the physiological signal caused by the innervation zone affects the consistency of the force-EMG relationship on single bipolar channel level. Multichannel EMG recordings used for predicting force overcame this disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Rantalainen
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Lohse KR, Sherwood DE, Healy AF. Neuromuscular effects of shifting the focus of attention in a simple force production task. J Mot Behav 2011; 43:173-84. [PMID: 21400331 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2011.555436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Research on the focus of attention has begun exploring the physiological changes that underlie the difference between internal and external foci of attention. However, previous electromyography studies have used dynamic tasks, making it difficult to interpret electrophysiological data. The authors analyzed how the focus of attention affects a subject's ability to perform an isometric force production task (focus was directed either at the force platform or the muscles responsible for force production). Subjects received practice without attentional focus instructions and then completed blocks of trials with an external and internal attentional focus separately. An external focus led to significantly less error overall and reduced surface electromyography activity with lower median power frequencies in the antagonist muscle, but attentional focus had no effects on the agonist muscle. Thus, an external focus of attention led to more efficient motor unit recruitment patterns (reduced cocontraction) and improved performance. Posttest surveys revealed subjects were aware of their improved performance with an external focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Lohse
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
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Duchateau J, Enoka RM. Human motor unit recordings: origins and insight into the integrated motor system. Brain Res 2011; 1409:42-61. [PMID: 21762884 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Soon after Edward Liddell [1895-1981] and Charles Sherrington [1857-1952] introduced the concept of a motor unit in 1925 and the necessary technology was developed, the recording of single motor unit activity became feasible in humans. It was quickly discovered by Edgar Adrian [1889-1977] and Detlev Bronk [1897-1975] that the force exerted by muscle during voluntary contractions was the result of the concurrent recruitment of motor units and modulation of the rate at which they discharged action potentials. Subsequent studies found that the relation between discharge frequency and motor unit force was characterized by a sigmoidal function. Based on observations on experimental animals, Elwood Henneman [1915-1996] proposed a "size principle" in 1957 and most studies in humans focussed on validating this concept during various types of muscle contractions. By the end of the 20th C, the experimental evidence indicated that the recruitment order of human motor units was determined primarily by motoneuron size and that the occasional changes in recruitment order were not an intended strategy of the central nervous system. Fundamental knowledge on the function of Sherrington's "common final pathway" was expanded with observations on motor unit rotation, minimal and maximal discharge rates, discharge variability, and self-sustained firing. Despite the great amount of work on characterizing motor unit activity during the first century of inquiry, however, many basic questions remain unanswered and these limit the extent to which findings on humans and experimental animals can be integrated and generalized to all movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Duchateau
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808 Route de Lennik, CP 640, 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
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37
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Saltin B, Gollnick PD. Skeletal Muscle Adaptability: Significance for Metabolism and Performance. Compr Physiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.cp100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Wheeler KA, Shimada H, Kumar DK, Arjunan SP. A sEMG model with experimentally based simulation parameters. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2010; 2010:4258-61. [PMID: 21096642 DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2010.5627175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A differential, time-invariant, surface electromyogram (sEMG) model has been implemented. While it is based on existing EMG models, the novelty of this implementation is that it assigns more accurate distributions of variables to create realistic motor unit (MU) characteristics. Variables such as muscle fibre conduction velocity, jitter (the change in the interpulse interval between subsequent action potential firings) and motor unit size have been considered to follow normal distributions about an experimentally obtained mean. In addition, motor unit firing frequencies have been considered to have non-linear and type based distributions that are in accordance with experimental results. Motor unit recruitment thresholds have been considered to be related to the MU type. The model has been used to simulate single channel differential sEMG signals from voluntary, isometric contractions of the biceps brachii muscle. The model has been experimentally verified by conducting experiments on three subjects. Comparison between simulated signals and experimental recordings shows that the Root Mean Square (RMS) increases linearly with force in both cases. The simulated signals also show similar values and rates of change of RMS to the experimental signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Wheeler
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
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39
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Piitulainen H, Holobar A, Avela J. Changes in motor unit characteristics after eccentric elbow flexor exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2010; 22:418-29. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01228.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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40
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Piitulainen H, Bottas R, Komi P, Linnamo V, Avela J. Impaired action potential conduction at high force levels after eccentric exercise. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2010; 20:879-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Revised: 10/01/2009] [Accepted: 10/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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De Luca CJ, Hostage EC. Relationship between firing rate and recruitment threshold of motoneurons in voluntary isometric contractions. J Neurophysiol 2010; 104:1034-46. [PMID: 20554838 PMCID: PMC2934917 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01018.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 06/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We used surface EMG signal decomposition technology to study the control properties of numerous simultaneously active motor units. Six healthy human subjects of comparable age (21 +/- 0.63 yr) and physical fitness were recruited to perform isometric contractions of the vastus lateralis (VL), first dorsal interosseous (FDI), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles at the 20, 50, 80, and 100% maximum voluntary contraction force levels. EMG signals were collected with a five-pin surface array sensor that provided four channels of data. They were decomposed into the constituent action potentials with a new decomposition algorithm. The firings of a total of 1,273 motor unit action potential trains, 20-30 per contraction, were obtained. The recruitment thresholds and mean firing rates of the motor units were calculated, and mathematical equations were derived. The results describe a hierarchical inverse relationship between the recruitment thresholds and the firing rates, including the first and second derivatives, i.e., the velocity and the acceleration of the firing rates. This relationship describes an "operating point" for the motoneuron pool that remains consistent at all force levels and is modulated by the excitation. This relationship differs only slightly between subjects and more distinctly across muscles. These results support the "onion skin" property that suggests a basic control scheme encoded in the physical properties of motoneurons that responds consistently to a "common drive" to the motoneuron pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo J De Luca
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
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42
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Christie A, Kamen G. Short-term training adaptations in maximal motor unit firing rates and afterhyperpolarization duration. Muscle Nerve 2010; 41:651-60. [PMID: 19941348 DOI: 10.1002/mus.21539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study we investigated age- and training-related adaptations in maximal motor unit firing rates and the duration of the motoneuron afterhyperpolarization (AHP) in the dorsiflexor muscles of the foot. Subjects included 30 young (21.9 +/- 3.1 years) and 30 older (72.9 +/- 4.6 years) individuals, who were randomly assigned to a control or training group. Maximal voluntary force (MVC), maximal motor unit firing rate, and motoneuron AHP duration were measured on two occasions. The training group participated in six dorsiflexor exercise training sessions between test and retest. At baseline, young subjects had higher MVC force and maximal motor unit firing rate, and shorter AHP duration, compared with older subjects. Young and older subjects in the trained group demonstrated a respective 17.4% and 19.8% increase in MVC force, a 6.8% and 24.3% increase in maximal MUFR, and a 7.4% and 14.2% decrease in AHP duration. These results indicate that age-related changes in neuromuscular function are not a necessary consequence of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Christie
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, 110 Totman Building, 30 Eastman Lane, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9258, USA.
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Oya T, Riek S, Cresswell AG. Recruitment and rate coding organisation for soleus motor units across entire range of voluntary isometric plantar flexions. J Physiol 2009; 587:4737-48. [PMID: 19703968 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.175695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike upper limb muscles, it remains undocumented as to how motor units in the soleus muscle are organised in terms of recruitment range and discharge rates with respect to their recruitment and de-recruitment thresholds. The possible influence of neuromodulation, such as persistent inward currents (PICs) on lower limb motor unit recruitment and discharge rates has also yet to be reported. To address these issues, electromyographic (EMG) activities from the soleus muscle were recorded using selective branched-wire intramuscular electrodes during ramp-and-hold contractions with intensities up to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The multiple single motor unit activities were then derived using a decomposition technique. The onset-offset hysteresis of motor unit discharge, i.e. a difference between recruitment and de-recruitment thresholds, as well as PIC magnitude calculated by a paired motor unit analysis were used to examine the neuromodulatory effects on discharge behaviours, such as minimum firing rate, peak firing rate and degree of increase in firing rate. Forty-two clearly identified motor units from five subjects revealed that soleus motor units are recruited progressively from rest to contraction strengths close to 95% of MVC, with low-threshold motor units discharging action potentials slower at their recruitment and with a lower peak rate than later recruited high-threshold units. This observation is in contrast to the 'onion skin phenomenon' often reported for the upper limb muscles. Based on positive correlations of the peak discharge rates, initial rates and recruitment order of the units with the magnitude of the onset-offset hysteresis and not PIC contribution, we conclude that discharge behaviours among motor units appear to be related to a variation in an intrinsic property other than PICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomichi Oya
- University of Queensland, School of Human Movement Studies, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Christie A, Greig Inglis J, Kamen G, Gabriel DA. Relationships between surface EMG variables and motor unit firing rates. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 107:177-85. [PMID: 19544067 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1113-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although surface electromyography (sEMG) is a widely used electrophysiological technique, its physiological interpretation remains somewhat controversial. This study examined the relationship between motor unit firing rates (MUFR) and the root mean square (RMS) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) of the sEMG signal in the biceps brachii. Eleven subjects performed maximal isometric elbow flexion while indwelling and sEMG recordings were obtained from the biceps. The RMS amplitude and MPF of the surface signal, and the mean MUFR from the indwelling signal, were calculated over 500 ms epochs. Group means showed a strong MUFR-RMS amplitude relationship (r (2) = 0.91), but a weak MUFR-MPF relationship (r (2) = 0.20). Using all trials, the MUFR-RMS amplitude (r (2) = 0.19) and MUFR-MPF (r (2) = 0.0037) relationships were much weaker. Within individual subjects, the MUFR-RMS amplitude (mean r (2) = 0.13 +/- 0.17) and the MUFR-MPF (mean r (2) = 0.040 +/- 0.041) relationships were also weak. These results suggest that MUFR cannot be predicted from the characteristics of the sEMG signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Christie
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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45
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Riley ZA, Terry ME, Mendez-Villanueva A, Litsey JC, Enoka RM. Motor unit recruitment and bursts of activity in the surface electromyogram during a sustained contraction. Muscle Nerve 2008; 37:745-53. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.20978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Dimitrov GV, Arabadzhiev TI, Hogrel JY, Dimitrova NA. Simulation analysis of interference EMG during fatiguing voluntary contractions. Part I: What do the intramuscular spike amplitude–frequency histograms reflect? J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2008; 18:26-34. [PMID: 16963279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2005] [Revised: 06/15/2006] [Accepted: 06/27/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Decline in amplitude of EMG signals and in the rate of counts of intramuscularly recorded spikes during fatigue is often attributed to a progressive reduction of the neural drive only. As a rule, alterations in intracellular action potential (IAP) are not taken into account. To test correctness of the hypothesis, the effect of various discharge frequency patterns as well as changes in IAP shape and muscle fibre propagation velocity (MFPV) on the spike amplitude-frequency histogram of intramuscular interference EMG signals were simulated and analyzed. It was assumed that muscle was composed of four types of motor units (MUs): slow-twitch fatigue resistant, fast-twitch fatigue resistant, fast intermediate, and fast fatigable. MFPV and IAP duration at initial stage before fatigue as well as their changes differed for individual MU types. Fatigability of individual MU types in normal conditions as well as in the case of ischaemic or low oxygen conditions due to restricted blood flow was also taken into account. It was found that spike amplitude-frequency histogram is poorly sensitive to MU firing frequency, while it is highly sensitive to IAP profile lengthening. It is concluded that spike amplitude-frequency analysis can hardly provide a correct measure of MU rate-coding pattern during fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- G V Dimitrov
- Centre of Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 105, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.
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47
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Gabriel DA, Kamen G. Experimental and modeling investigation of spectral compression of biceps brachii SEMG activity with increasing force levels. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2008; 19:437-48. [PMID: 18083563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2007] [Revised: 10/23/2007] [Accepted: 10/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated possible motor unit (MU) firing patterns underlying changes in biceps brachii (BB) surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity in 96 participants who performed isometric actions of the elbow flexors at 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). We also conducted a modeling investigation to determine the extent to which a model would fit the experimental results. Experimentally, there was a linear increase (277%; p<0.01) in root-mean-square (RMS) amplitude with increasing force. The mean power frequency (MNF) remained stable from 40% to 80% of MVC, but there was a decrease (8.2%; p<0.01) between 80% and 100% of MVC. A modeling approach was taken wherein well-known recruitment and rate-coding schemes activated MUs whose basic building block was the muscle fibre action potential. Two conditions were investigated: (1) an increase in firing rate (rate-coding) and (2) synchronization. The levels of rate-coding and synchronization were selected to produce a linear RMS-force relationship as observed in the experimental data. Then, the impact of these two strategies on changes in MNF was assessed. The MNF remained stable from 40% to 80% of maximum excitation for both the rate-coding and synchronization conditions. There was a decrease in MNF between 80% and 100% of maximum excitation for both modeling conditions, similar to that observed for the experimental data. Thus, at these high forces at which experimental data are technically difficult to obtain, the model supports the idea that both rate-coding and synchronization are responsible for the changes observed in surface EMG amplitude and frequency characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Gabriel
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1.
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Keenan KG, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Experimentally valid predictions of muscle force and EMG in models of motor-unit function are most sensitive to neural properties. J Neurophysiol 2007; 98:1581-90. [PMID: 17615125 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00577.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational models of motor-unit populations are the objective implementations of the hypothesized mechanisms by which neural and muscle properties give rise to electromyograms (EMGs) and force. However, the variability/uncertainty of the parameters used in these models--and how they affect predictions--confounds assessing these hypothesized mechanisms. We perform a large-scale computational sensitivity analysis on the state-of-the-art computational model of surface EMG, force, and force variability by combining a comprehensive review of published experimental data with Monte Carlo simulations. To exhaustively explore model performance and robustness, we ran numerous iterative simulations each using a random set of values for nine commonly measured motor neuron and muscle parameters. Parameter values were sampled across their reported experimental ranges. Convergence after 439 simulations found that only 3 simulations met our two fitness criteria: approximating the well-established experimental relations for the scaling of EMG amplitude and force variability with mean force. An additional 424 simulations preferentially sampling the neighborhood of those 3 valid simulations converged to reveal 65 additional sets of parameter values for which the model predictions approximate the experimentally known relations. We find the model is not sensitive to muscle properties but very sensitive to several motor neuron properties--especially peak discharge rates and recruitment ranges. Therefore to advance our understanding of EMG and muscle force, it is critical to evaluate the hypothesized neural mechanisms as implemented in today's state-of-the-art models of motor unit function. We discuss experimental and analytical avenues to do so as well as new features that may be added in future implementations of motor-unit models to improve their experimental validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Keenan
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
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Duchateau J, Semmler JG, Enoka RM. Training adaptations in the behavior of human motor units. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2006; 101:1766-75. [PMID: 16794023 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00543.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this brief review is to examine the neural adaptations associated with training, by focusing on the behavior of single motor units. The review synthesizes current understanding on motor unit recruitment and rate coding during voluntary contractions, briefly describes the techniques used to record motor unit activity, and then evaluates the adaptations that have been observed in motor unit activity during maximal and submaximal contractions. Relatively few studies have directly compared motor unit behavior before and after training. Although some studies suggest that the voluntary activation of muscle can increase slightly with strength training, it is not known how the discharge of motor units changes to produce this increase in activation. The evidence indicates that the increase is not attributable to changes in motor unit synchronization. It has been demonstrated, however, that training can increase both the rate of torque development and the discharge rate of motor units. Furthermore, both strength training and practice of a force-matching task can evoke adaptations in the discharge characteristics of motor units. Because the variability in discharge rate has a significant influence on the fluctuations in force during submaximal contractions, the changes produced with training can influence motor performance during activities of daily living. Little is known, however, about the relative contributions of the descending drive, afferent feedback, spinal circuitry, and motor neuron properties to the observed adaptations in motor unit activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Duchateau
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 28 Ave., P. Héger CP 168, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
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Keenan KG, Farina D, Meyer FG, Merletti R, Enoka RM. Sensitivity of the cross-correlation between simulated surface EMGs for two muscles to detect motor unit synchronization. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2006; 102:1193-201. [PMID: 17068220 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00491.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of cross-correlation analysis between simulated surface electromyograms (EMGs) of two muscles to quantify motor unit synchronization. The volume conductor simulated a cylindrical limb with two muscles and bone, fat, and skin tissues. Models of two motor neuron pools were used to simulate 120 s of surface EMG that were detected over both muscles. Short-term synchrony was established using a phenomenological model that aligned the discharge times of selected motor units within and across muscles to simulate physiological levels of motor unit synchrony. The correlation between pairs of surface EMGs was estimated as the maximum of the normalized cross-correlation function. After imposing four levels of motor unit synchrony across muscles, five parameters were varied concurrently in the two muscles to examine their influence on the correlation between the surface EMGs: 1) excitation level (5, 10, 15, and 50% of maximum); 2) muscle size (350 and 500 motor units); 3) fat thickness (1 and 4 mm); 4) skin conductivity (0.1 and 1 S/m); and 5) mean motor unit conduction velocity (2.5 and 4 m/s). Despite a constant and high level of motor unit synchronization among pairs of motor units across the two muscles, the cross-correlation index ranged from 0.08 to 0.56, with variation in the five parameters. For example, cross-correlation of EMGs from pairs of hand muscles, each having thin layers of subcutaneous fat and mean motor unit conduction velocities of 4 m/s, may be relatively insensitive to the level of synchronization across muscles. In contrast, cross-correlation of EMGs from pairs of leg muscles, with larger fat thickness, may exhibit a different sensitivity. These results indicate that cross correlation of the surface EMGs from two muscles provides a limited measure of the level of synchronization between motor units in the two muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Keenan
- Dept. of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA
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