Muscle fibre conduction velocity varies in opposite directions after short- vs. long-duration muscle contractions

Introduction The effects of muscle contractions on muscle fibre conduction velocity have normally been investigated for contractions of a given duration and intensity, with most studies being focused on the decline on conduction velocity during/ after prolonged contractions. Herein, we perform a sys...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rodríguez Falces, Javier, Place, Nicolas
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/55559
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/55559
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:M-wave
Femoral nerve stimulation
Conduction velocity
Muscle fibre diameter
Muscle shortening
Brief contractions
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction The effects of muscle contractions on muscle fibre conduction velocity have normally been investigated for contractions of a given duration and intensity, with most studies being focused on the decline on conduction velocity during/ after prolonged contractions. Herein, we perform a systematic analysis of the changes in conduction velocity after voluntary contractions of different durations and intensities. Methods Conduction velocity was estimated in the vastus lateralis before and after knee extensor isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of 1, 3, 6, 10, 30 and 60 s, and after brief (3 s) contractions at 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% of MVC force. Measurements were made during the 10-min period following each contraction. Results (1) Conduction velocity was increased immediately after (1 s) the MVCs of brief (≤ 10 s) duration (12 ± 2%, P < 0.05), and then returned rapidly (within 15 s) to control levels; (2) the extent of the increase in conduction velocity was similar after the 3-s, 6-s, and 10-s MVCs (P > 0.05); (3) the magnitude of the increase in conduction velocity after a brief contraction augmented with the intensity of the contraction (increases of 4.6, 7.7, 11.4, 14.8, and 15.2% for contractions at 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% of MVC force, respectively); (4) conduction velocity was not decreased immediately after the 30-s MVC (P > 0.05); and (5) conduction velocity did not reach its minimum 1 s after the long (≥ 30 s) MVCs. Conclusions Brief (≤ 10 s) muscle contractions induce a short-term increase in conduction velocity, lasting 15 s, while long (≥ 30 s) contractions produce a long-term decrease in conduction velocity, lasting more than 2 min.