Neural and mechanical responses of the triceps surae muscle group after 1 h of repeated fast passive stretches.

Experiments were carried out to examine interaction between mechanical changes of the muscle-tendon unit and reduced reflex sensitivity after repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching (RPS). There is some evidence that this interaction might be relevant also during active stretch-shortening cycle type of fatigue tasks. The results demonstrated a clear deterioration of voluntarily and electrically induced muscle contractions after RPS. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), average electromyographic activities of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and maximal twitch contraction decreased on average by 13.8, 10.4, 7.6, and 16.8%, respectively. In addition, there was a 14% lengthening in the total duration of the twitch. MVCs measured at different ankle joint angles revealed a downward and rightward shift in the torque-fascicle length curve after RPS. Interestingly, there was a crossing in the torque-fascicle length curves while measured at different activation levels but at the same joint angle before and after RPS. Even though no changes were observed in the activation level during MVCs, all the reflex parameters showed a clear reduction after RPS. This study presents evidence that repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching can lead to some modification of material behavior of the aponeurosis-tendon system, such as stress relaxation and/or plastic deformation. In addition, altered material properties seem to affect proprioceptive feedback and, therefore, the motor unit activation in proportion to the contractile failure.     

Sympathetic outflow enhances the stretch reflex response in the relaxed soleus muscle in humans.

Animal experiments suggest that an increase in sympathetic outflow can depress muscle spindle sensitivity and thus modulate the stretch reflex response. The results are, however, controversial, and human studies have failed to demonstrate a direct influence of the sympathetic nervous system on the sensitivity of muscle spindles. We studied the effect of increased sympathetic outflow on the short-latency stretch reflex in the soleus muscle evoked by tapping the Achilles tendon. Nine subjects performed three maneuvers causing a sustained activation of sympathetic outflow to the leg: 3 min of static handgrip exercise at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, followed by 3 min of posthandgrip ischemia, and finally during a 3-min mental arithmetic task. Electromyography was measured from the soleus muscle with bipolar surface electrodes during the Achilles tendon tapping, and beat-to-beat changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were monitored continuously. Mean arterial pressure was significantly elevated during all three maneuvers, whereas heart rate was significantly elevated during static handgrip exercise and mental arithmetic but not during posthandgrip ischemia. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the short-latency stretch reflex was significantly increased during mental arithmetic (P < 0.05), static handgrip exercise (P < 0.001), and posthandgrip ischemia (P < 0.005). When expressed in percent change from rest, the mean peak-to-peak amplitude increased by 111 (SD 100)% during mental arithmetic, by 160 (SD 103)% during static handgrip exercise, and by 90 (SD 67)% during posthandgrip ischemia. The study clearly indicates a facilitation of the short-latency stretch reflex during increased sympathetic outflow. We note that the enhanced stretch reflex responses observed in relaxed muscles in the absence of skeletomotor activity support the idea that the sympathetic nervous system can exert a direct influence on the human muscle spindles.     

Spinal reflexes and coactivation of ankle muscles during a submaximal fatiguing contraction.

This study examined the involvement of spinal mechanisms in the control of coactivation during a sustained contraction of the ankle dorsiflexors at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction. Changes in the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the tibialis anterior and of two antagonist muscles, the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius, were investigated during and after the fatigue task. Concurrently, the compound action potential (M-wave) and the Hoffmann reflex of the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius were recorded. The results showed that the torque of the ankle dorsiflexors and the average EMG of the tibialis anterior during maximal voluntary contraction declined by 40.9 +/- 17.7% (mean +/- SD; P < 0.01) and 37.0 +/- 19.9% (P < 0.01), respectively, at task failure. During the submaximal fatiguing contraction, the average EMG of both the agonist and antagonist muscles increased, leading to a nearly constant ratio at the end of the contraction when normalized to postfatigue values. In contrast to the monotonic increase in average EMG of the antagonist muscles, the excitability of their spinal reflex pathways exhibited a biphasic modulation. The amplitude of the Hoffman reflexes in the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius increased to 147.5 +/- 52.9% (P < 0.05) and 166.7 +/- 74.9% (P < 0.01), respectively, during the first 20% of the contraction and then subsequently declined to 66.3 +/- 44.8 and 74.4 +/- 44.2% of their initial values. In conclusion, the results show that antagonist coactivation did not contribute to task failure. The different changes in voluntary EMG activity and spinal reflex excitability in the antagonist muscles during the fatiguing contraction support the concept that the level of coactivation is controlled by supraspinal rather than spinal mechanisms. The findings indicate, however, that antagonist coactivation cannot simply be mediated by a central descending "common drive" to the motor neuron pools of the agonist-antagonist muscle pairs. Rather, they suggest a more subtle regulation of the drive, possibly through presynaptic mechanisms, to the motoneurons that innervate the antagonist muscles.     

Residual force enhancement following eccentric induced muscle damage

During lengthening of an activated skeletal muscle, the force maintained following the stretch is greater than the isometric force at the same muscle length. This is termed residual force enhancement (RFE), but it is unknown how muscle damage following repeated eccentric contractions affects RFE. Using the dorsiflexors, we hypothesised muscle damage will impair the force generating sarcomeric structures leading to a reduction in RFE. Following reference maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC) in 8 young men (26.5±2.8y) a stretch was performed at 30°/s over a 30° ankle excursion ending at the same muscle length as the reference MVCs (30° plantar flexion). Surface electromyography (EMG) of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles was recorded during all tasks. The damage protocol involved 4 sets of 25 isokinetic (30°/s) lengthening contractions. The same measures were collected at baseline and immediately post lengthening contractions, and for up to 10min recovery. Following the lengthening contraction task, there was a 30.3±6.4% decrease in eccentric torque (P<0.05) and 36.2±9.7% decrease in MVC (P<0.05) compared to baseline. Voluntary activation using twitch interpolation and RMS EMG amplitude of the tibialis anterior remained near maximal without increased coactivation for MVC. Contrary to our hypothesis, RFE increased (～100-250%) following muscle damage (P<0.05). It appears stretch provided a mechanical strategy for enhanced muscle function compared to isometric actions succeeding damage. Thus, active force of cross-bridges is decreased because of impaired excitation-contraction coupling but force generated during stretch remains intact because force contribution from stretched sarcomeric structures is less impaired.     

Limiting mechanisms of force production after repetitive dynamic contractions in human triceps surae.

The influence of repetitive dynamic fatiguing contractions on the neuromuscular characteristics of the human triceps surae was investigated in 10 subjects. The load was 50% of the torque produced during a maximal voluntary contraction, and the exercise ended when the ankle range of motion declined to 50% of control. The maximal torque of the triceps surae and the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the soleus and medial gastrocnemius were studied in response to voluntary and electrically induced contractions before and after the fatiguing task and after 5 min of recovery. Reflex activities were also tested by recording the Hoffmann reflex (H reflex) and tendon reflex (T reflex) in the soleus muscle. The results indicated that whereas the maximal voluntary contraction torque, tested in isometric conditions, was reduced to a greater extent (P < 0.05) at 20 degrees of plantar flexion (-33%) compared with the neutral position (-23%) of the ankle joint, the EMG activity of both muscles was not significantly reduced after fatigue. Muscle activation, tested by the interpolated-twitch method or the ratio of the voluntary EMG to the amplitude of the muscle action potential (M-wave), as well as the neuromuscular transmission and sarcolemmal excitation, tested by the M-wave amplitude, did not change significantly after the fatiguing exercise. Although the H and T reflexes declined slightly (10-13%; P < 0.05) after fatigue, these adjustments did not appear to have a direct deleterious effect on muscle activation. In contrast, alterations in the mechanical twitch time course and postactivation potentiation indicated that intracellular Ca(2+)-controlled excitation-contraction coupling processes most likely played a major role in the force decrease after dynamic fatiguing contractions performed for short duration.     

Contraction level-related modulation of corticomuscular coherence differs between the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles in humans

The sensorimotor cortex activity measured by scalp EEG shows coherence with electromyogram (EMG) activity within the 15- to 35-Hz frequency band (β-band) during weak to moderate intensity of isometric voluntary contraction. This coupling is known to change its frequency band to the 35- to 60-Hz band (γ-band) during strong contraction. This study aimed to examine whether such contraction level-related modulation of corticomuscular coupling differs between muscles with different muscle compositions and functions. In 11 healthy young adults, we quantified the coherence between EEG over the sensorimotor cortex and rectified EMG during tonic isometric voluntary contraction at 10-70% of maximal voluntary contraction of the tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) muscles, respectively. In the TA, the EEG-EMG coherence shifted from the β-band to the γ-band with increasing contraction level. Indeed, the magnitude of β-band EEG-EMG coherence was significantly decreased, whereas that of γ-band coherence was significantly increased, when the contraction level was above 60% of maximal voluntary contraction. In contrast to the TA, the SOL showed no such frequency changes of EEG-EMG coherence with alterations in the contraction levels. In other words, the maximal peak of EEG-EMG coherence in the SOL existed within the β-band, irrespective of the contraction levels. These findings suggest that the central nervous system regulates the frequency of corticomuscular coupling to exert the desired levels of muscle force and, notably, that the applicable rhythmicity of the coupling for performing strong contractions differs between muscles, depending on the physiological muscle compositions and functions of the contracting muscle.     

Proprioceptive proximo-distal relationships between the quadriceps and soleus muscles in man

Electrical stimulation of femoral nerve modulates voluntary tonic activity o of ipsilateral soleus muscle. Stimulus time-locked inhibitory and facilitatory phases can be distinguished. EMG temporal analysis suggests that early perturbations are correlated with spinal effects of centripetal electrical activity. The inhibitory effects which momentarily abolish voluntary soleus activity are thought to result from quadriceps Ib fibres recruitment. While no heteronymous activity is induced at rest, femoral nerve Ia fibres activation can produce soleus muscle reflex when soleus motor nucleus excitability is increased by voluntary command. Recurrent discharge resulting from soleus reflex response enhances inhibition initially due to quadriceps Ib volley. Secondary effects of isometric quadriceps contraction (and soleus contraction when the femoral stimulus elicits a reflex in this muscle) have their own effects later. These findings suggest that proprioceptive relationships of the two muscular groups are efficient during tonic isometric voluntary command.     

Reduced reflex sensitivity persists several days after long-lasting stretch-shortening cycle exercise.

The mechanisms related to the acute and delayed secondary impairment of the stretch reflex function were investigated after long-lasting stretch-shortening cycle exercise. The results demonstrated a clear deterioration in muscle function immediately after fatigue, which was accompanied by a clear reduction in active and passive reflex sensitivity. For active and passive stretch reflexes, this reduction was biphasic (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). However, for the ratio of the electrically induced maximal Hoffmann reflex to the maximal mass compound action potential, only one significant reduction was seen immediately after fatigue (71.2%, P < 0.01). A similar significant (P < 0.01) decrease in the stretch-resisting force of the muscle was also detected. Clear increases were found in the indirect markers of muscle damage (serum creatine kinese activity and skeletal troponin I), which could imply the occurrence of ultrastructural muscle damage. It is suggested that the acute reduction in reflex sensitivity is of reflex origin and due to two active mechanisms, disfacilitation and presynaptic inhibition. However, the delayed second decline in the sensitivity of some reflex parameters may be attributable to the secondary injury, because of some inflammatory response to the muscle damage. This might emphasize the role of presynaptic inhibition via group III and IV muscle afferents.     

Fatigue of intermittent submaximal voluntary contractions: central and peripheral factors

Central and peripheral factors were studied in fatigue of submaximal intermittent isometric contractions of the human quadriceps and soleus muscles. Subjects made repeated 6 s, 50% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) followed by 4 s rest until the limit of endurance (Tlim). Periodically, a fatigue test was performed. This included a brief MVC, either a single shock or 8 pulses at 50 Hz during a rest period and a shock superimposed on a target force voluntary contraction. At Tlim, the MVC force had declined by 50%, usually in parallel with the force from stimulation at 50 Hz. The twitches superimposed on the target forces declined more rapidly, disappearing entirely at Tlim. In similar experiments on adductor pollicis, no reduction of the evoked M wave was seen. The results suggest that, during fatigue of quadriceps and adductor pollicis induced by this protocol, no central fatigue was apparent, but some was seen in soleus. Thus the reduced force-generating capacity could result mainly or entirely from failure of the muscle contractile apparatus.     

Post-tetanic potentiation of reciprocal Ia inhibition in human lower limb.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how reciprocal Ia inhibition is changed during muscle fatigue of lower limb muscle, induced with a voluntary contraction or height frequency electrical stimulation. Reciprocal Ia inhibition from ankle flexors to extensors has been investigated in 12 healthy subjects. Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) in the soleus muscle was used to monitor changes in the amount of reciprocal Ia inhibition from common peroneal nerve as demonstrated during voluntary dorsi or planterflexion and 50 Hz electrical stimulation induced dorsi or planterflexion. The test soleus H-reflex was kept at 20-25% of maximum directly evoked motor response (M response) and the strength of the conditioning common peroneal nerve stimulation was kept at 1.0 x motor threshold. At rest, weak la inhibition was demonstrated in 12 subjects, maximal inhibition from the common peroneal nerve was 28.8%. During voluntary dorsiflexion and 50 Hz electrical stimulation induced dorsiflexion, there absolute amounts of inhibition increased as compared to at rest, and decreased or disappeared during voluntary planterflexion and 50 Hz electrical stimulation induced planterflexion as compared to at rest. During voluntary or electrical stimulation induced agonist muscle fatigue, the inhibition of the soleus H-reflex from the common peroneal nerve was greater during voluntary dorsiflexion (maximal, 11.1%) and 50 Hz (maximal, 6.7%) electrical stimulation induced dorsiflexion than at rest. The inhibition was decreased or disappeared during voluntary planterflexion 50 Hz electrical stimulation induced planterflexion. It was concluded that the results were considered to support the hypothesis that alpha-motoneurones and la inhibitory intemeurones link to antagonist motoneurones in reciprocal inhibition. The diminished reciprocal Ia inhibition of voluntary contraction during muscle fatigue as compared to electrical stimulation, is discussed in relation to its possible contribution to ankle stability.     

Short-latency stretch reflex modulation in response to varying soleus muscle activities.

The current investigation examined the effect of various types of background muscle contractions on the short-latency stretch reflex (SLR) elicited from the soleus muscle while subjects were in a sitting position. A stretch was applied to the calf muscles while they performed an isometric (pre-ISO), shortening (pre-SHO) and lengthening contraction (pre-LEN) with several pre-contraction levels. The ankle was at a 90 degrees tibio-tarsal joint angle when the perturbation was applied. Subjects developed and maintained a given pre-load level, which was maintained at various percentages of the maximum voluntary isometric plantar flexion torque. This was performed at 80 degrees in pre-SHO, 90 degrees in pre-ISO and 100 degrees in pre-LEN for about 2s before the contractions. The SLRs in trials with 0, 35 and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction torque level were compared among the three conditions. The main results were as follows. (1) Pre-ISO and pre-SHO showed an equal SLR area and a different SLR waveform in the active muscle. (2) Pre-LEN showed the smallest SLR area of three conditions in the active muscle. (3) Pre-LEN showed shorter SLR latencies than the other conditions. (4) Pre-SHO showed a longer SLR latency in the relaxed muscle than in the active muscle. (5) The SLR area was larger in the active muscle than in the relaxed muscle. These findings demonstrate that the muscle contraction type and the pre-contraction level before a stretch perturbation have a considerable influence on the latency, the area and the waveform of the SLR. In particular, the equal area and the different waveforms of the SLR between pre-ISO and pre-SHO were a unique finding in the present study. They might result from differences in muscle spindle sensitivity and afferent input from various receptors induced by the present motor task.     

Muscle spindle feedback differs between the soleus and gastrocnemius in humans

The Hoffmann (H) reflex and motor (M) response were studied in soleus and gastrocnemius during voluntary contraction in eight male volunteers. AIMS: To determine if the strength of spindle input to the muscles is the same. To assess if the M response size changes during contraction. RESULTS: The size of the maximum M response (M max) changed during contraction in each subject. Hence, all H reflex measurements were normalized to the M max at each level of contraction for each subject. The largest H/M max was bigger in soleus than gastrocnemius at every contraction level. The overall largest H/M max for soleus (97%) and gastrocnemius (55%) were achieved at 40 and 100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), respectively. CONCLUSION: Soleus receives greater spindle feedback than the gastrocnemius both at rest and during voluntary contraction.     

Triceps surae stretch and voluntary contraction alters maximal M-wave magnitude.

Reliability of the motor response (M-wave) is fundamental in many reflex studies; however it has recently been shown to change during some investigations. The aim of this investigation was to determine if triceps surae stretch and voluntary contraction, or recording and analysis techniques, affect the maximal M-wave magnitude. The maximal M-wave was investigated in human gastrocnemius and soleus during different foot positions and during triceps surae contraction. Both bipolar and monopolar-recoding methods, and area and peak-to-peak (PTP) amplitude analysis methods were used. RESULTS: Maximal M-wave magnitude changed significantly between test muscle conditions, and is largest during dorsiflexion, probably due to changes in muscle bulk and recording electrode relationship. The maximal M-wave was up to 88% smaller when recorded by bipolar electrodes compared to monopolar electrodes, which is discussed in relation to signal cancellation. Area analysis provided more significant differences in M-wave magnitude between test muscle conditions than did PTP amplitude analysis, and the maximal M-wave shape changed significantly between test muscle conditions. This study suggests that maximal M-wave magnitude can vary depending on muscle condition, it highlights the importance of using correct recording and analysis techniques, and questions the reliability of using M-wave magnitude to monitor the relationship between the nerves and stimulating electrodes.     

Passive stretch inhibits central corelike lesion formation in the soleus muscles of hindlimb-suspended unloaded rats.

Hindlimb suspension unloading (HSU) is a ground-based model simulating the effects of microgravity unloading on the musculoskeletal system. In this model, gravity causes the hind foot of the rat to drop, opening the front of the ankle to 90-105 degrees plantar flexion at rest. As HSU proceeds, the normal weight-bearing angle of 30 degrees dorsiflexion is achieved progressively less, and the contraction range of soleus is abbreviated. Our laboratory reported that 12 days of HSU caused central corelike lesions (CCLs) of myofibril breakdown (Riley DA, Slocum GR, Bain JL, Sedlak FR, Sowa TE, and Mellender JW. J Appl Physiol. 69: 58-66, 1990). The present study investigated whether daily stretch of the calf muscles prevents CCL formation. The soleus muscles of HSU Sprague-Dawley male rats (approximately 287 g) were lengthened by unilateral ankle splinting at 30 degrees. Compared with the nonsplinted side, splinting for 10 or 20 min per day in awake rats significantly decreased CCLs in soleus by 88 and 91%, respectively (P < 0.01). Compared with control muscle wet weight, 20-min splinting reduced atrophy by 33%, whereas 10-min splinting ameliorated atrophy by 17% (P < 0.01). Bilateral soleus electromyograph recording revealed higher levels of contractile activity on the splinted side during splinting. To isolate the effects of stretch from isometric contractile activity, contractions were eliminated by whole animal anesthesia with isoflurane during 10-min daily splinting. The percentage of fibers with CCLs was reduced by 57%, and the average lesion size was 29% smaller in the stretched muscle (P < 0.05). Soleus muscle wet weight and fiber area were unaltered by stretch alone. Loaded contractions during splinting are necessary to prevent muscle fiber atrophy. Passive muscle stretch acts to maintain myofibril structural integrity.     

Changes in the reflex excitability of the soleus spinal center in humans performing various motor tasks

The reflex excitability of the soleus spinal motoneurons was assessed in healthy subjects performing different types of motor tasks: voluntary contraction of the flexor (dorsal flexion) and extensor (plantar flexion) muscles of the foot. The effect of the contraction strength of these muscles was also evaluated. During dorsal flexion of the ipsi-and contralateral feet, changes in the reflex ecitability of the soleus motoneurons were unidirectional: the excitability decreased. The decrease in the reflex excitability was more profound during dorsal flexion with the maximum strength than with the half-maximum strength. During the plantar flexion of the ipsi-and contralateral feet, the excitability of the soleus motoneurons changed in opposite directions: in some subjects it increased, while in the others it decreased. The reflex excitability of the soleus motoneurons changed to a greater extent during dorsal or plantar flexion of the ipsilateral foot. In the case of plantar flexion, the soleus motor center is possibly affected by a broader spectrum of influences than in the case of dorsal flexion, which can explain the variations in the reflex excitability changes during plantar flexion.     

The role of reflex mechanisms in postinhibitory rebound studied by analysis of human single motor unit activity

The mechanism of onset of rebound after inhibition induced by electrical stimulation of a nerve of maximal and submaximal strength for M-response was studied in single motor units of normal human soleus, rectus femoris, and hand muscles. Poststimulus histograms and changes in the duration of interspike intervals were compared with mechanical recordings of muscle contractions. In all muscles tested, during strong isotonic contraction, the increase in motor unit activity after a silent period was partly due to synchronization of their emergence from inhibition. However, it also contained a component of true facilitation of motoneurons, which was evidently a reflex response to lengthening of the muscle in the relaxation phase after evoked contraction. The latent period of this facilitation in the soleus and rectus femoris muscles coincided in value with the latent period of the monosynaptic spinal reflex, whereas in the hand muscles, in which a monosynaptic response to electrical nerve stimulation could not be evoked, the latent period of facilitation as a result of spindle activation during muscle relaxation was significantly longer than the latent period of the monosynaptic reflex. These findings support the hypothesis of presynaptic suppression of monosynaptic connections of Ia afferents with the motoneurons of some human muscles by descending tonic influences and of the use of information coming from spindles by supraspinal levels of the CNS.     

Age-related changes of the stretch reflex excitability in human ankle muscles

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of aging on the stretch reflex in the ankle muscles, and in particular to compare the effects on the ankle dorsi-flexor (tibialis anterior: TA) and the plantar-flexor (soleus: SOL). Stretch reflex responses were elicited in the TA and SOL at rest and during weak voluntary contractions in 20 elderly and 23 young volunteers. The results indicated that, in the TA muscle, the elderly group had a remarkably larger long-latency reflex (LLR), whereas no aging effect was found in the short latency reflex (SLR). These results were very different from those in the SOL muscle, which showed significant aging effects in the SLR and medium latency reflex (MLR), but not in the LLR. Given the fact that the LLR of the TA stretch reflex includes the cortical pathway, it is probable that the effects of aging on the TA stretch reflex involve alterations not only at the spinal level but also at the cortical level. The present results indicate that the stretch reflexes of each of the ankle antagonistic muscles are affected differently by aging, which might have relevance to the neural properties of each muscle.     

The extracellular matrix in hibernating myocardium - a significant factor causing structural defects and cardiac dysfunction

The time course of force generation and the time course of muscle stiffness were measured in rabbit soleus muscles during eccentric contraction to understand the underlying basis for the force loss in these muscles. Muscles were activated for 600 msec every 10 sec for 30 min. Soleus muscles contracting isometrically maintained constant tension throughout the treatment period, while muscles subjected to eccentric contraction rapidly dropped tension generation by 75% within the first few minutes and then an additional 10% by the end of 30 min. This indicated a dramatic loss in force-generating ability throughout the 30 min treatment period. To estimate the relative number of cross-bridges attached during the isometric force generation phase immediately preceding each eccentric contraction, stiffness was measured during a small stretch of a magnitude equal to 1.5% of the fiber length. Initially, muscle stiffness exceeded 1300 g/mm and, as eccentric treatment progressed, stiffness decreased to about 900 g/mm. Thus, while muscle stiffness decreased by only 30% over the 30 min treatment period, isometric force decreased by 85%. In isometrically activated muscles, stiffness remained constant throughout the treatment period. These data indicate that, while soleus muscles decreased their force generating capability significantly, there were a number of cross-bridges still attached that were not generating force. In summary, the loss of force generating capacity in the rabbit soleus muscle appears to be related to a fundamental change in myosin cross-bridge properties without the more dramatic morphological changes observed in other eccentric contraction models. These results are compared and contrasted with the observations made on muscles composed primarily of fast fibers.     

Muscle spindle feedback differs between the soleus and gastrocnemius in humans

The Hoffmann (H) reflex and motor (M) response were studied in soleus and gastrocnemius during voluntary contraction in eight male volunteers. Aims: To determine if the strength of spindle input to the muscles is the same. To assess if the M response size changes during contraction. Results: The size of the maximum M response (M max) changed during contraction in each subject. Hence, all H reflex measurements were normalized to the M max at each level of contraction for each subject. The largest H/M max was bigger in soleus than gastrocnemius at every contraction level. The overall largest H/M max for soleus (97%) and gastrocnemius (55%) were achieved at 40 and 100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), respectively. Conclusion: Soleus receives greater spindle feedback than the gastrocnemius both at rest and during voluntary contraction.     

Adaptations in the activation of human skeletal muscle induced by short-term isometric resistance training.

This study employed longitudinal measures of evoked spinal reflex responses (Hoffman reflex, V wave) to investigate changes in the activation of muscle and to determine if there are "linked" neural adaptations in the motor pathway following isometric resistance training. Twenty healthy, sedentary males were randomly assigned to either the trained (n = 10) or control group (n = 10). The training protocol consisted of 12 sessions of isometric resistance training of the plantar flexor muscles over a 4-wk period. All subjects were tested prior to and after the 4-wk period. To estimate changes in spinal excitability, soleus Hoffman (H) reflex and M wave recruitment curves were produced at rest and during submaximal contractions. Recruitment curves were analyzed using the slope method (Hslp/Mslp). Modulation of efferent neural drive was assessed through evoked V wave responses (V/Mmax) at 50, 75, and 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). After 4 weeks, MVC torque increased 20.0 +/- 13.9% (mean +/- SD) in the trained group. The increase in MVC was accompanied by significant increases in the rate of torque development (42.5 +/- 13.3%), the soleus surface electromyogram (60.7 +/- 30.8%), voluntary activation (2.8 +/- 0.1%), and the rate of activation (48.7 +/- 24.3%). Hslp/Mslp was not altered by training; however, V/Mmax increased 57.3 +/- 34.2% during MVC. These results suggest that increases in MVC observed in the first few days of isometric resistance training can be accounted for by an increase in the rate of activation at the onset of muscle contraction. Augmentation of muscle activation may be due to increased volitional drive from supraspinal centers.