Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery after strenuous exercise depends on skeletal muscle size and stem cell characteristics

Hamstring muscle injury is highly prevalent in sports involving repeated maximal sprinting. Although neuromuscular fatigue is thought to be a risk factor, the mechanisms underlying the fatigue response to repeated maximal sprints are unclear. Here, we show that repeated maximal sprints induce neuromuscular fatigue accompanied with a prolonged strength loss in hamstring muscles. The immediate hamstring strength loss was linked to both central and peripheral fatigue, while prolonged strength loss was associated with indicators of muscle damage. The kinematic changes immediately after sprinting likely protected fatigued hamstrings from excess elongation stress, while larger hamstring muscle physiological cross-sectional area and lower myoblast:fibroblast ratio appeared to protect against fatigue/damage and improve muscle recovery within the first 48 h after sprinting. We have therefore identified novel mechanisms that likely regulate the fatigue/damage response and initial recovery following repeated maximal sprinting in humans.

Variations of collagen-encoding genes are associated with exercise-induced muscle damage

We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genes encoding the alpha-1 chain of type I (COL1A1, rs2249492; rs1800012), type II (COL2A1, rs2070739), and type V (COL5A1, rs12722) collagen were associated with the variable response to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Knee extensor muscle strength and soreness were assessed pre-, post-, and 48 h post-EIMD (120 maximal eccentric knee extensor contractions) in 65 young healthy participants, who were genotyped for the aforementioned SNPs. We found that COL1A1 (minor) T-allele carriers (rs1800012) and (major) T-allele homozygotes (rs2249492) were generally weaker (P ≤ 0.019); and (minor) A-allele carriers of COL2A1 (P = 0.002) and (major) T-allele carriers of COL5A1 (P = 0.004) SNPs reported greater muscle soreness, all compared with their respective major (rs1800012; rs2070739) and minor (rs2249492; rs12722) allele homozygote counterparts. To conclude, the risk alleles of these four SNPs appear to negatively influence muscle strength and post-EIMD recovery, possibly via a dysregulated collagen network affecting the muscle’s mechanical properties.

TRIM63 (MuRF-1) gene polymorphism is associated with biomarkers of exercise-induced muscle damage

Unaccustomed strenuous exercise can lead to muscle strength loss, inflammation and delayed-onset muscle soreness, which may be influenced by genetic variation. We investigated if a missense single nucleotide polymorphism (A>G, rs2275950 ) within the TRIM63 gene (encoding MuRF-1 and potentially affecting titin mechanical properties) was associated with the variable response to unaccustomed eccentric exercise. Sixty-five untrained, healthy participants (genotyped for rs2275950 : AA, AG, and GG) performed 120 maximal eccentric knee extensions (ECC) to induce muscle damage. Isometric and isokinetic maximal voluntary knee extension contractions (MVCs) and muscle soreness were assessed before, immediately after, and 48 h after ECC. AA homozygotes were consistently stronger [baseline isometric MVC: 3.23 ± 0.92 Nm/kg (AA) vs. 2.09 ± 0.67 Nm/kg (GG); P = 0.006] and demonstrated less muscle soreness over time ( P = 0.022) compared with GG homozygotes. This may be explained by greater titin stiffness in AA homozygotes, leading to intrinsically stronger muscle fibers that are more resistant to eccentric damaging contractions.

Computer simulation of stress distribution in the metatarsals at different inversion landing angles using the finite element method

Metatarsal fracture is one of the most common foot injuries, particularly in athletes and soldiers, and is often associated with landing in inversion. An improved understanding of deformation of the metatarsals under inversion landing conditions is essential in the diagnosis and prevention of metatarsal injuries. In this work, a detailed three-dimensional (3D) finite element foot model was developed to investigate the effect of inversion positions on stress distribution and concentration within the metatarsals. The predicted plantar pressure distribution showed good agreement with data from controlled biomechanical tests. The deformation and stresses of the metatarsals during landing at different inversion angles (normal landing, 10 degree inversion and 20 degree inversion angles) were comparatively studied. The results showed that in the lateral metatarsals stress increased while in the medial metatarsals stress decreased with the angle of inversion. The peak stress point was found to be near the proximal part of the fifth metatarsal, which corresponds with reported clinical observations of metatarsal injuries.

High-speed non-invasive measurement of tibial rotation during the impact phase of running

Several injuries to the lower extremity in runners have been linked to excessive rates of internal rotation of the tibia just after ground impact. This study presents an improved method of capturing internal/external tibial rotation, and investigates whether estimates of rates of internal tibial rotation during the first 50 ms of contact during running are influenced by the sampling rate and processing of tibial displacement data. A lightweight plate was moulded to the shape of each subject's right anterior-medial tibia. Nine male subjects ran barefoot (3.35 m.s(-1)) and the landing kinematics of the right leg were recorded at 1000 Hz. The group mean value for the total range of internal rotation of the tibia for the whole stance phase was consistent with the literature (15.4 degrees ), but peak angular velocities (8.3 rad.s(-1)) were substantially higher than previously reported. The cut-off frequency of the low-pass filter influenced the peak angular velocity values obtained with the largest changes occurring between 15 and 40 Hz. Typically, researchers using lower sample rates have to filter around 10 Hz and consequently are likely to underestimate peak angular velocities. These findings have implications for obtaining a sound quantitative foundation for transient tibial motion before furthering our understanding of injury mechanisms.

Determining the protective function of sports footwear

To reduce the risk of injury associated with foot-ground interaction during sporting activities, there is a need for adequate assessment of the protective function of sports footwear. The present objectives are to review the typical biomechanical approaches used to identify protection offered by sports footwear during dynamic activities and to outline some of the recent methodological approaches aimed at improving this characterization. Attention is focused on biomechanical techniques that have been shown to best differentiate safety features of footwear. It was determined that subject tests would be used in combination with standard mechanical techniques to evaluate footwear protection. Impact attenuation characteristics of footwear during sporting activities were most distinguished by analysis of tibial shock signals in the frequency and joint time-frequency domains. It has been argued that lateral stability and traction properties of footwear are better assessed using game-like manoeuvres of subjects on the actual sporting surface. Furthermore, the ability of such tests to discriminate between shoes has been improved through methods aimed at reducing or accounting for variability in individual execution of dynamic manoeuvres. Advances in tools allowing measurement of dynamic foot function inside the shoe also aid our assessment of shoe protective performance. In combination, these newer approaches should provide more information for the design of safer sports footwear.

Mechanical inputs related to perception of lower extremity impact loading severity

PURPOSE

Human responses to repetitive locomotor loadings are likely dependent upon the perceived severity of the impact. Few researchers have attempted to identify the mechanical variables upon which perception of impact severity is based. This study examined the relationship of selected impact loading variables to the perception of impact severity by employing an established psychophysical test procedure.

METHODS

A human pendulum apparatus was used to administer and measure impact loadings similar to those encountered during running. Nineteen subjects experienced over 100 right foot impacts which comprised nine different impact conditions presented in a random manner. The conditions represented combinations of three impact velocities and three interface materials covering a force platform.

RESULTS

Group mean subjective ratings of impact severity were highly related to all measured biomechanical descriptors of impact severity. The variables of impact force rate of loading (FRA) and peak shank acceleration had correlation coefficients of 0.99 with perceived severity. When all individual results were combined to determine the relationship of impact loading variables to perception, correlations were generally 0.7 or above with FRA alone explaining 64% of the perceptual rating variability.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that impact perception was highly associated with the mechanical input variables commonly measured and that midsole materials such as those typically found in athletic footwear do not remove our ability to perceive the severity of impact loads.

Differential shock transmission response of the human body to impact severity and lower limb posture

The shocks imparted to the foot during locomotion may lead to joint-degenerative diseases and jeopardize the visual-vestibular functions. The body relies upon several mechanisms and structures that have unique viscoelastic properties for shock attenuation. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether impact severity and initial knee angle (IKA) could alter the shock transmission characteristics of the body. Impacts were administered to the right foot of 38 subjects with a human pendulum device. Combinations of velocities (0.9, 1.05 and 1.2 m s-1) and surfaces (soft and hard foams) served to manipulate impact severity in the first experiment. Three IKA (0, 20 and 40 degrees) were examined in the second experiment. Transmission between shank and head was characterized by measuring the shock at these sites with miniature accelerometers. Velocity and surface had no effect on the frequency profile of shock transmission suggesting a consistent response of the body to impact severity. Shank shock power spectrum features accounted for the lower shock ratio (head/shank) measured under the hard surface condition. IKA flexion caused considerable reduction in effective axial stiffness of the body (EASB), 28.7-7.9 kNm-1, which improved shock attenuation. The high correlation (r = 0.97) between EASB and shock ratio underscored the importance of EASB to shock attenuation. The present findings provide valuable information for the development of strategies aimed at protecting the joints, articular cartilage, spine and head against locomotor shock.

Dominant role of interface over knee angle for cushioning impact loading and regulating initial leg stiffness

For in vivo impact loadings administered under controlled initial conditions, it was hypothesized that larger initial knee angles (IKA) and softer impacting interfaces would reduce impact loading and initial leg stiffness. A human pendulum was used to deliver controlled impacts to the right foot of 21 subjects for three IKA (0, 20 and 40 degrees) and three interfaces (barefoot, soft and hard EVA foams). The external impact force and the shock experienced by the subjects' shank were measured simultaneously with a wall mounted force platform and a skin mounted accelerometer, respectively. Stiffness of the leg was derived using impact velocity and wall reaction force data. The results disproved the role of the knee joint in regulating initial leg stiffness and provided only partial support for the hypothesized improved cushioning. Larger knee flexion at contact reduced impact force but increased the shock travelling throughout the shank. Conversely, softer interfaces produced sizable reductions in both initial leg stiffness and severity of the impact experienced by the lower limb. Force rate of loading was found to be highly correlated (r = 0.95) to limb stiffness that was defined by the heel fat pad and interface deformations. These results would suggest that interface interventions are more likely to protect the locomotor system against impact loading than knee angle strategies.

Six weeks of training does not change running mechanics or improve running economy

Running technique and economy (VO2submax) were examined before and after a 6-wk period of running training. Fifteen males were filmed and performed 10-min economy runs at 3.36 m.s-1 on a treadmill. An incremental treadmill test was used to record running performance and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Subjects were randomly assigned to a training group and a control group that did not participate in any running program. There were no significant changes in kinematic variables between pre- and post-training tests for either group. Neither were there any significant physiological changes over the 6 wk in the control group. However, the training group demonstrated a significantly (P < 0.01) increased VO2max (57.7 +/- 6.2 vs 61.3 +/- 6.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) and running performance. VO2submax in the training group was significantly (P < 0.05) worse (41.0 +/- 4.5 vs 42.4 +/- 4.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) post-training, although the percent utilization of VO2max (71.6 +/- 7.9 vs 69.3 +/- 6.9%) and submaximal heart rate (169 +/- 15 vs 161 +/- 15 beats.min-1) were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The training-induced improvements in running performance could be attributed to physiological rather than biomechanical modifications. There were no changes in biomechanical descriptors of running style that signaled changes in running economy.

Human pendulum approach to simulate and quantify locomotor impact loading

The understanding of impact mechanics during locomotion is important for research within the fields of injury prevention and footwear design. Instrumented missiles offer a worthy solution to the lack of control inherent in in vivo activities and to the isolated nature of tissue studies. However, missiles cannot mimic the magnitude and temporal characteristics of locomotion impacts. A human pendulum approach employed the subject's own body as the missile to impart controlled impacts to the lower extremity. The subject is swung toward a force platform instrumented wall while lying supine on a suspended lightweight bed. The ability of the pendulum to reproduce locomotor impact loading was assessed for heel-toe running. Axial reaction force and shank acceleration patterns recorded during pendulum tests in ten subjects were found to closely resemble running patterns and they were obtained without discomfort to the subjects. This new approach relies upon one's own body to impart impacts representative of locomotion. It should prove useful to study human impact loading in a controlled manner.

Transfer function between tibial acceleration and ground reaction force

The purpose of the present study was to capture the relationship between ground reaction force (GRF) and tibial axial acceleration. Tibia acceleration and GRF were simultaneously recorded from five subjects during running. The acceleration of the bone was measured with a transducer mounted onto an intracortical pin. The signals were analyzed in the frequency domain to characterize the relationship between GRF and tibial acceleration. The results confirmed that for each subject this relationship could be represented by a frequency transfer function. The existence of a more general relationship for all five subjects was also confirmed by the results. The transfer functions provided information about transient shock transmissibility for the entire impact phase of running.