Time Course of Changes in Neuromuscular Parameters During Sustained Isometric Muscle Actions

Examination of sex differences in fatigability and neuromuscular responses during continuous, maximal, isometric leg extension

Objective.This study examined sex-related differences in fatigability and neuromuscular responses using surface electromyographic (sEMG) and mechanomyographic (sMMG) amplitude (AMP) and frequency (MPF) during fatiguing, maximal, bilateral isometric leg extensions.Approach.Twenty recreationally active males and females with resistance training experience performed continuous, maximal effort, bilateral isometric leg extensions until their force reduced by 50%. Linear mixed effect models analyzed patterns of force, sEMG, and sMMG AMP and MPF responses in the dominant limb. An independent samples t-test compared time-to-task failure (TTF) between sexes.Main Results.There were no significant differences in TTF between males and females. However, males experienced a greater rate of force loss compared to females. Furthermore, sEMG AMP and MPF and sMMG AMP responses followed similar linear trends for both sexes, while sMMG MPF showed non-linear responses with sex-dependent differences.Significance.These data suggest that although TTF was similar, males had a higher rate of force reduction, likely due to greater absolute strength. Furthermore, despite parallel changes in sEMG AMP and MPF, as well as sMMG AMP, the divergent responses observed in sMMG MPF highlight sex-dependent differences in how males and females experience changes in the firing rates of active motor units during sustained maximal contractions.

Comparison of Force, Neuromuscular, and Metabolic Responses During Sustained, Isometric Handgrip Holds to Failure Anchored to Low and High Perceptual Intensities in Men: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

Kwak, M, Succi, PJ, Benitez, B, Mitchinson, C, Samaan, MA, Abel, MG, and Bergstrom, HC. Comparison of force, neuromuscular, and metabolic responses during sustained, isometric handgrip holds to failure anchored to low and high perceptual intensities in men: An exploratory study. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): e405-e416, 2024-This study examined the responses of force alterations, relative to critical force (CF), neuromuscular parameters, and muscle oxygenation (SmO2) for isometric handgrip holds to failure (HTF) anchored to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of 3 and 7. Twelve men completed pre-maximal voluntary isometric contractions (pre-MVIC), submaximal HTF at 4 percentages of pre-MVIC, HTF at RPE = 3 and 7, and post-MVIC. Mechanomyograpic (MMG) signals and SmO2 were recorded during the RPE HTF. Analyses included paired-samples t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVAs at an alpha level of p ≤ 0.05. Time to task failure was not different between RPE 3 (478.7 ± 196.6 s) and RPE 7 (495.8 ± 173.8 s). Performance fatigability (PF) and MMG amplitude (AMP) were greater for RPE 7 (PF: 37.9 ± 12.9%; MMG AMP: 15.7 ± 7.4% MVIC) than RPE 3 (PF: 30.0 ± 14.5%; MMG AMP: 10.2 ± 6.5% MVIC), but MMG mean power frequency (MPF) was greater for RPE 3 (146.2 ± 31.1% MVIC) than RPE 7 (128.8 ± 23.0% MVIC). There were RPE-dependent decreases in force (p ≤ 0.01) across 3 discernable phases during the HTF. There were decreases in MMG AMP across time for both RPEs, but there were no significant changes in MMG MPF or SmO2. There were overall similar motor unit control strategies and local metabolic demand between RPEs. The majority of the HTF performed below CF at RPE 3 and 7 indicated CF did not reflect the highest sustainable force. When prescribing isometric exercise anchored to RPE, practitioners should be aware of the magnitude of force loss and relative intensity of the task to be sure desired training loads are met.

Unilateral and Bilateral Isokinetic Leg Extensions Exhibit No Differences in Neuromuscular Excitation Under Maximal and Fatiguing Conditions

Anders, JPV, Neltner, TJ, Smith, RW, Arnett, JE, Housh, TJ, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. Unilateral and bilateral isokinetic leg extensions exhibit no differences in neuromuscular activation under maximal and fatiguing conditions. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 474–480, 2024—The bilateral deficit is a phenomenon where force production during a bilateral (BL) muscle action is less than the sum of force produced when the muscle action is performed unilaterally (UL) with both limbs. The purpose of this study was to compare peak force, electromyographic (EMG) amplitude (AMP), and mean power frequency (MPF) of the nondominant leg between UL and BL isokinetic leg extensions. Eleven recreationally trained men (mean ± SD; age = 20.8 ± 1.7 years; body mass = 84.0 ± 16.2 kg; height = 179.3 ± 7.2 cm) volunteered to participate in this study. The 2 test visits included UL and BL maximal isokinetic leg extensions at 180°·second−1 followed by a fatiguing task of either 50 UL or 25 UL followed immediately by 25 BL (ULBL) maximal, isokinetic leg extensions at 180°·second−1, in random order on separate days. The results demonstrated a significant (p = 0.015, = 0.460) bilateral deficit in force (UL = 56.29 ± 11.20 kg; BL = 50.32 ± 7.35 kg; d = 0.63; 95% CI [1.42, 10.52]) but no significant bilateral deficit in EMG AMP (p = 0.892, = 0.002). The peak force during the fatiguing task demonstrated a significant main effect for repetition (p < 0.001, = 0.943) characterized by a reduced peak force from repetitions 20–50. Similarly, EMG MPF demonstrated a significant main effect for repetition (p < 0.001, = 0.702) characterized by a reduced EMG MPF from repetitions 35–50. There were no significant effects (p = 0.102–0.387, = 0.096–0.203) for EMG AMP. These findings suggested that the bilateral deficit was not associated with a neuromuscular deficit and UL muscle actions may be used to potentiate force production of subsequent BL muscle actions.

Neuromuscular and mean force changes during a fatiguing bout of exercise with and without blood flow restriction

Surface electromyography (EMG) and mean force can be used to identify motor unit excitation and fatigue. Low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LL+BFR) may result in earlier fatigue and maximal muscle fibre recruitment compared to low-load resistance training (LL). The purpose of this investigation was to examine EMG and force responses during LL versus LL+BFR. Thirteen males (mean ± standard deviation = 24±4 years) completed a bout (1×30) of leg extension muscle actions at 30% of their 1 repetition maximum LL and LL+BFR while force, EMG amplitude, and EMG mean power frequency (EMG MPF) were recorded. EMG amplitude increased (74.2%) and EMG MPF decreased (22.6%) similarly during both conditions. There was no significant difference in mean force during the first 3 repetitions between LL+BFR (477.3±132.3 N) and LL (524.3±235.1 N) conditions, but mean force was lower during the last 3 repetitions for LL+BFR (459.7±179.3 N) compared to LL (605.4±276.4 N). The results of the present study indicated that a fatiguing bout of leg extension muscle actions performed LL and LL+BFR elicited similar neuromuscular responses. There was a significant difference in mean force during the last 3 repetitions (LL>LL+BFR) that may have been due to differences in the time spent near peak force.

Changes in Muscle Activation During and After a Shoulder-Fatiguing Task: A Comparison of Elite Female Swimmers and Water Polo Players

This study compared female athletes with different aquatic sports expertise in their neuromuscular activation before, during, and after a shoulder internal rotation fatigue protocol. Eleven water polo players, 12 swimmers, and 14 controls completed concentric maximal voluntary external and internal shoulder rotations before and after a fatigue protocol consisting of concentric internal rotations at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction for at least 3 min or until reporting a rating of perceived effort RPE of 8/10 or higher. Muscle activation was measured for the maximal voluntary contractions, as well as for the first (T1), middle (T2), and third (T3) minute of the fatigue protocol using surface electromyography (EMG) on pectoralis major, anterior and posterior deltoid, upper and middle trapezius, and latissimus dorsi. Intramuscular EMG was used for supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis. Pre-fatigue internal rotation torque was significantly correlated with shorter task duration (r = −0.39, p = 0.02), with water polo players producing significantly greater torque than controls but having significantly lower endurance. Swimmers demonstrated decreased latissimus dorsi activation at T3 compared to T2 (p = 0.020, g = 0.44) and T1 (p = 0.029, g = 0.74), differing from water polo players and controls who exhibited increased agonist activation and decreased activation of stabilizers. Comparing the pre-fatigue to the post-fatigue maximal shoulder rotations, water polo players had decreased activation in subscapularis (p = 0.018, g = 0.67); all groups had decreased activation in latissimus dorsi (p < 0.001), though swimmers demonstrated a large effect (g = 0.97); and controls had decreased activation in supraspinatus (p = 0.005, g = 0.71). Together, these results suggest that sports expertise may be associated with different muscle activation both while and after fatigue is induced. Further research should continue to explore sports-specific patterns of muscle recruitment and fatigue adaptations, as well as if certain strategies are adaptive or maladaptive. This may have important consequences for injury prevention among athletes who perform repetitive overhead movements in their sports and who are susceptible to overuse injuries.

The Time Course of Changes in Neuromuscular Responses During the Performance of Leg Extension Repetitions to Failure Below and Above Critical Resistance in Women

Dinyer, TK, Byrd, MT, Succi, PJ, and Bergstrom, HC. The time course of changes in neuromuscular responses during the performance of leg extension repetitions to failure below and above critical resistance in women. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Critical resistance (CR) is the highest sustainable resistance that can be completed for an extended number of repetitions. Exercise performed below (CR-15%) and above (CR+15%) CR may represent 2 distinct intensities that demonstrate separate mechanisms of fatigue. Electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) have been used to examine the mechanism of fatigue during resistance exercise. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to (a) compare the patterns of responses and time course of changes in neuromuscular parameters (EMG and MMG amplitude [AMP] and mean power frequency [MPF]) during the performance of repetitions to failure at CR-15% and CR+15% and (b) identify the motor unit activation strategy that best describes the fatigue-induced changes in the EMG and MMG signals at CR-15% and CR+15%. Ten women completed one repetition maximum (1RM) testing and repetitions to failure at 50, 60, 70, and 80% 1RM (to determine CR), and at CR-15% and CR+15% on the leg extension. During all visits, EMG and MMG signals were measured from the vastus lateralis. There were similar patterns of responses in the neuromuscular parameters, and time-dependent changes in EMG AMP and EMG MPF, but not MMG AMP or MMG MPF, during resistance exercise performed at CR-15% and CR+15% (p < 0.05). The onset of fatigue occurred earlier for EMG AMP, but later for EMG MPF, during repetitions performed at CR+15% compared with those performed at CR-15%. Thus, resistance exercise performed below and above CR represented 2 distinct intensities that were defined by different neuromuscular fatigue mechanisms but followed similar motor unit activation strategies.

Inter- and Intra-Individual Differences in EMG and MMG during Maximal, Bilateral, Dynamic Leg Extensions

The purpose of this study was to compare the composite, inter-individual, and intra-individual differences in the patterns of responses for electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) during fatiguing, maximal, bilateral, and isokinetic leg extension muscle actions. Thirteen recreationally active men (age = 21.7 ± 2.6 years; body mass = 79.8 ± 11.5 kg; height = 174.2 ± 12.7 cm) performed maximal, bilateral leg extensions at 180°·s⁻¹ until the torque values dropped to 50% of peak torque for two consecutive repetitions. The EMG and MMG signals from the vastus lateralis (VL) muscles of both limbs were recorded. Four 2(Leg) × 19(time) repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to examine mean differences for EMG AMP, EMG MPF, MMG AMP, and MMG MPF between limbs, and polynomial regression analyses were performed to identify the patterns of neuromuscular responses. The results indicated no significant differences between limbs for EMG AMP (p = 0.44), EMG MPF (p = 0.33), MMG AMP (p = 0.89), or MMG MPF (p = 0.52). Polynomial regression analyses demonstrated substantial inter-individual variability. Inferences made regarding the patterns of neuromuscular responses to fatiguing and bilateral muscle actions should be considered on a subject-by-subject basis.

The effect of epoch length on time and frequency domain parameters of electromyographic and mechanomyographic signals

The selection of epoch lengths affects the time and frequency resolution of electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) signals, as well as decisions regarding the signal processing techniques to use for determining the power density spectrum. No previous studies, however, have examined the effects of epoch length on parameters of the MMG signal. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between epoch lengths for EMG amplitude, EMG mean power frequency (MPF), MMG amplitude, and MMG MPF from the VL and VM muscles during MVIC muscle actions as well as at each 10% of the time to exhaustion (TTE) during a continuous isometric muscle action of the leg extensors at 50% of MVIC. During the MVIC trial, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between epoch lengths (0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00-s) for mean absolute values for any of the EMG or MMG parameters. During the submaximal, sustained muscle action, however, absolute MMG amplitude and MMG MPF were affected by the length of epoch. All epoch related differences were eliminated by normalizing the absolute values to MVIC. These findings supported normalizing EMG and MMG parameter values to MVIC and utilizing epoch lengths that ranged from 0.25 to 2.00-s.

Neuromuscular fatigue during exercise: Methodological considerations, etiology and potential role in chronic fatigue

The term fatigue is used to describe a distressing and persistent symptom of physical and/or mental tiredness in certain clinical populations, with distinct but ultimately complex, multifactorial and heterogenous pathophysiology. Chronic fatigue impacts on quality of life, reduces the capacity to perform activities of daily living, and is typically measured using subjective self-report tools. Fatigue also refers to an acute reduction in the ability to produce maximal force or power due to exercise. The classical measurement of exercise-induced fatigue involves neuromuscular assessments before and after a fatiguing task. The limitations and alternatives to this approach are reviewed in this paper in relation to the lower limb and whole-body exercise, given the functional relevance to locomotion, rehabilitation and activities of daily living. It is suggested that under some circumstances, alterations in the central and/or peripheral mechanisms of fatigue during exercise may be related to the sensations of chronic fatigue. As such, the neurophysiological correlates of exercise-induced fatigue are briefly examined in two clinical examples where chronic fatigue is common: cancer survivors and people with multiple sclerosis. This review highlights the relationship between objective measures of fatigability with whole-body exercise and perceptions of fatigue as a priority for future research, given the importance of exercise in relieving symptoms of chronic fatigue and/or overall disease management. As chronic fatigue is likely to be specific to the individual and unlikely to be due to a simple biological or psychosocial explanation, tailored exercise programmes are a potential target for therapeutic intervention.