Search

Abstract: Ortega, DG, Housh, TJ, Smith, RW, Arnett, JE, Neltner, TJ, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. The effects of anchoring a fatiguing forearm flexion task to a high versus low rating of perceived exertion on torque and neuromuscular responses. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e219-e225, 2024-This study examined the torque and neuromuscular responses following sustained, isometric, forearm flexion tasks anchored to 2 ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Nine men (mean ± SD: age = 21.0 ± 2.4 years; height = 179.5 ± 5.1 cm; body mass = 79.6 ± 11.4 kg) completed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) before and after sustained, isometric, forearm flexion tasks to failure anchored to RPE = 2 and RPE = 8. The amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) of the electromyographic (EMG) signal were recorded from the biceps brachii. Normalized torque was divided by normalized EMG AMP to calculate neuromuscular efficiency (NME). A dependent t-test was used to assess the mean difference for time to task failure (TTF). Repeated-measures analysis of variances was used to compare mean differences for MVIC and normalized neuromuscular parameters. There was no significant difference in TTF between RPE = 2 and RPE = 8 (p = 0.713). The MVIC decreased from pretest to posttest at RPE = 2 (p = 0.009) and RPE = 8 (p = 0.003), and posttest MVIC at RPE = 8 was less than that at RPE = 2 (p < 0.001). In addition, NME decreased from pretest to posttest (p = 0.008). There was no change in normalized EMG AMP or EMG MPF (p > 0.05). The current findings indicated that torque responses were intensity specific, but TTF and neuromuscular responses were not. Furthermore, normalized EMG AMP and EMG MPF remained unchanged but NME decreased, likely due to peripheral fatigue and excitation-contraction coupling failure. Thus, this study provides information regarding the neuromuscular responses and mechanisms of fatigue associated with tasks anchored to RPE, which adds to the foundational understanding of the relationship between resistance exercise and the perception of fatigue., (Copyright © 2023 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Abstract: Salmon, OF, Housh, TJ, Hill, EC, Keller, JL, Anders, JPV, Johnson, GO, Schmidt, RJ, and Smith, CM. Changes in neuromuscular response patterns after 4 weeks of leg press training during isokinetic leg extensions. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): e405-e412, 2023-The purpose of this study was to identify velocity-specific changes in electromyographic root mean square (EMG RMS), EMG frequency (EMG MPF), mechanomyographic RMS (MMG RMS), and MMG MPF during maximal unilateral isokinetic muscle actions performed at 60° and 240°·s -1 velocities within the right and left vastus lateralis (VL) after 4 weeks of dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) bilateral leg press training. Twelve resistance-trained men (age: mean ± SD = 21.4 ± 3.6 years) visited the laboratory 3d·wk -1 to perform resistance training consisting of 3 sets of 10 DCER leg presses. Four, three-way analysis of variance were performed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular responses (EMG RMS, EMG MPF, MMG RMS, and MMG MPF) from the right and left VL during 1 single-leg maximal isokinetic leg extension performed at 60° and 240°·s -1 before and after 4 weeks of DCER leg press training ( p < 0.05). The results indicated a 36% increase in EMG RMS for the right leg, as well as a 23% increase in MMG RMS and 10% decrease in MMG MPF after training, collapsed across velocity and leg. In addition, EMG RMS was 65% greater in the right leg than the left leg following training, whereas EMG MPF was 11% greater for the left leg than the right leg throughout training. Thus, 4 weeks of DCER leg press training provides sufficient stimuli to alter the neuromuscular activation process of the VL but not velocity-specific neuromuscular adaptations in trained males., (Copyright © 2023 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine the interactions between perceived fatigability and performance fatigability in women and men by utilizing the RPE-Clamp model to assess the fatigue-induced effects of a sustained, isometric forearm flexion task anchored to RPE = 8 on time to task failure (TTF), torque, and neuromuscular responses., Methods: Twenty adults (10 men and 10 women) performed two, 3 s forearm flexion maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) followed by a sustained, isometric forearm flexion task anchored to RPE = 8 using the OMNI-RES (0-10) scale at an elbow joint angle of 100°. Electromyographic amplitude (EMG AMP) was recorded from the biceps brachii. Torque and EMG AMP values resulting from the sustained task were normalized to the pretest MVIC. Neuromuscular efficiency was defined as NME = normalized torque/normalized EMG AMP. Mixed factorial ANOVAs and Bonferroni corrected dependent t tests and independent t tests were used to examine differences across time and between sex for torque and neuromuscular parameters., Results: There were no differences between the women and men for the fatigue-induced decreases in torque, EMG AMP, or NME, and the mean decreases (collapsed across sex) were 50.3 ± 8.6 to 2.8 ± 2.9% MVIC, 54.7 ± 12.0 to 19.6 ± 5.3% MVIC, and 0.94 ± 0.19 to 0.34 ± 0.16, respectively. Furthermore, there were no differences between the women and men for TTF (251.8 ± 74.1 vs. 258.7 ± 77.9 s)., Conclusion: The results suggested that the voluntary reductions in torque to maintain RPE and the decreases in NME were likely due to group III/IV afferent feedback from peripheral fatigue that resulted in excitation-contraction coupling failure., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Literature is conflicted on whether electromechanical delay durations decrease following resistance training programs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the contributions and durations of the electrochemical (EMD E-M ) and mechanical (EMD M-F ) components to the overall electromechanical delay (EMD E-F ) during step isometric muscle actions following 4-weeks of structured, multi-joint, lower-body variable resistance training (VRT) program., Methods: Twelve men performed 4-weeks of VRT leg press training utilizing combination of steel plates (80% total load) and elastic bands (20% total load). Training consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at a 10 repetition maximum load, 3 day week -1 for 4-weeks. EMD E-M , EMD M-F , and EMD E-F was measured at Baseline, Week-2, and Week-4 during voluntary step isometric muscle actions (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction) from the vastus lateralis using electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals., Results: The EMD E-M , EMD M-F , and EMD E-F exhibited decreases in duration following 4-weeks of VRT. In addition, EMD E-M contributed significantly less (42-47%) than EMD M-F (53-58%) to the total duration of EMD E-F across the 4-weeks of VRT., Conclusions: These findings indicated that a structured, VRT program utilizing multi-joint exercise was sufficient to induce decreases in the electrochemical and mechanical processes associated with step isometric muscle contractions. In addition, the utilization of the electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals were capable of quantifying electrochemical and mechanical component changes associated with voluntary muscle contraction. Thus, EMD E-M , EMD M-F , and EMD E-F can be useful in quantifying physiological changes in athletic, clinical, and applied research interventions., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of creatine supplementation for improvements in exercise performance. Few studies, however, have examined the effects of phosphocreatine supplementation on exercise performance. Furthermore, while polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, little is known regarding the influence of polyphenol supplementation on muscular strength, power, and endurance. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of 28 days of supplementation with phosphocreatine disodium salts plus blueberry extract (PCDSB), creatine monohydrate (CM), and placebo on measures of muscular strength, power, and endurance., Methods: Thirty-three men were randomly assigned to consume either PCDSB, CM, or placebo for 28 days. Peak torque (PT), average power (AP), and percent decline for peak torque (PT%) and average power (AP%) were assessed from a fatigue test consisting of 50 maximal, unilateral, isokinetic leg extensions at 180°·s - 1 before and after the 28 days of supplementation. Individual responses were assessed to examine the proportion of subjects that exceeded a minimal important difference (MID)., Results: The results demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvements in PT for the PCDSB and CM groups from pre- (99.90 ± 22.47 N·m and 99.95 ± 22.50 N·m, respectively) to post-supplementation (119.22 ± 29.87 N·m and 111.97 ± 24.50 N·m, respectively), but no significant (p = 0.112) change for the placebo group. The PCDSB and CM groups also exhibited significant improvements in AP from pre- (140.18 ± 32.08 W and 143.42 ± 33.84 W, respectively) to post-supplementation (170.12 ± 42.68 W and 159.78 ± 31.20 W, respectively), but no significant (p = 0.279) change for the placebo group. A significantly (p < 0.05) greater proportion of subjects in the PCDSB group exceeded the MID for PT compared to the placebo group, but there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the proportion of subjects exceeding the MID between the CM and placebo groups or between the CM and PCDSB groups., Conclusions: These findings indicated that for the group mean responses, 28 days of supplementation with both PCDSB and CM resulted in increases in PT and AP. The PCDSB, however, may have an advantage over CM when compared to the placebo group for the proportion of individuals that respond favorably to supplementation with meaningful increases in muscular strength., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute changes in muscle swelling (as assessed by muscle thickness and echo intensity) and muscle blood flow associated with an acute bout of low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) and low-load non-blood flow restriction (LL) exercise. Twenty women (mean ± SD; 22 ± 2years) volunteered to perform an acute exercise bout that consisted of 75 (1 × 30, 3 × 15) isokinetic, reciprocal, concentric-only, submaximal (30% of peak torque), forearm flexion and extension muscle actions. Pretest, immediately after (posttest), and 5-min after (recovery) completing the 75 repetitions, muscle thickness and echo intensity were assessed from the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles and muscle blood flow was assessed from the brachial artery. There were no between group differences for any of the dependent variables, but there were significant simple and main effects for muscle and time. Biceps and triceps brachii muscle thickness increased from pretest (2.13 ± 0.39 cm and 1.88 ± 0.40 cm, respectively) to posttest (2.58 ± 0.49 cm and 2.17 ± 0.43 cm, respectively) for both muscles and remained elevated for the biceps brachii (2.53 ± 0.43 cm), but partially returned to pretest levels for the triceps brachii (2.06 ± 0.41 cm). Echo intensity and muscle blood flow increased from pretest (98.0 ± 13.6 Au and 94.5 ± 31.6 ml min -1 , respectively) to posttest (109.2 ± 16.9 Au and 312.2 ± 106.5 ml min -1 , respectively) and pretest to recovery (110.1 ± 18.3 Au and 206.7 ± 92.9 ml min -1 , respectively) and remained elevated for echo intensity, but partially returned to pretest levels for muscle blood flow. The findings of the present study indicated that LLBFR and LL elicited comparable acute responses as a result of reciprocal, concentric-only, forearm flexion and extension muscle actions., (© 2021 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare measurements of muscle strength, size, and activation of the forearm flexors in pre- and post-pubescent males and females., Methods: Forty pre-pubescent (mean ± 95% confidence interval, age = 9.79 ± 0.35 years, n = 10 males, n = 10 females) and post-pubescent (age = 17.23 ± 0.58 years, n = 10 males, n = 10 females) youth participated. Subjects completed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the forearm flexors, and submaximal isometric step muscle actions at 30, 50, and 70% of the peak MVIC. Percent voluntary activation (VA) was quantified during all isometric muscle actions. Forearm flexor (biceps brachii and brachialis) muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was quantified from ultrasound images., Results: MVIC strength was expressed in absolute terms and normalized to CSA. Post-pubertal males were 130% stronger, had 101% greater CSA, and 17% greater maximal VA than pre-pubertal males, while post-pubertal females were 72% stronger, had 54% greater CSA, and 23% greater maximal VA than pre-pubertal females. When MVIC strength was normalized to CSA, the post-pubertal males were still 15% stronger than the pre-pubertal males, while the post-pubertal females were only 12% stronger than the pre-pubertal females. The responses for VA across intensity reflected differences in muscle activation strategies between pre- and post-pubertal males and females., Conclusion: These results suggest that muscle size may account for a greater proportion of the growth and development-related differences in strength among males, while females may be more affected by changes in muscle activation. Regardless of sex, changes in muscle size and neuromuscular function influence strength increases during growth and development., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the composite, intra-individual, and inter-individual patterns of responses for deoxygenated hemoglobin and myoglobin (deoxy[heme]), oxygenated hemoglobin and myoglobin (oxy[heme]), total hemoglobin and myoglobin (total[heme]), and tissue saturation index (StO 2 %) during fatiguing, maximal, isokinetic, unilateral, and bilateral leg extensions., Methods: Nine men (Mean ± SD; age = 21.9 ± 2.4 years; height = 181.8 ± 11.9 cm; body mass = 85.8 ± 6.2 kg) performed 50 unilateral and bilateral maximal, concentric, isokinetic leg extensions at 180° s -1 on two separate visits. The muscle oxygenation parameters assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy from the dominant leg and isokinetic torque were averaged for 2 consecutive repetitions at 5 repetition intervals. Separate 2 (Condition [Unilateral and Bilateral]) × 10 (Repetition [5-50]) repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to examine mean differences for normalized isokinetic torque and each muscle oxygenation parameter. Intra- and inter-individual differences were examined with polynomial regression analyses., Results: For normalized isokinetic torque, the unilateral condition (56.3 ± 10.5%) exhibited greater performance fatigability than the bilateral condition (45.0 ± 18.7%). Collapsed across Condition, deoxy[heme] exhibited an increase (p < 0.001), while StO 2 % exhibited a decrease (p < 0.001). The bilateral condition exhibited a more sustained decline in oxy[heme] than the unilateral condition (p = 0.005). Deoxy[heme], oxy[heme], and total[heme] exhibited substantial intra- and inter-individual differences for the fatigue-induced patterns of response., Conclusion: The present findings indicated that the greater performance fatigability for unilateral versus bilateral fatiguing, maximal, isokinetic leg extensions was not attributable to differences in muscle oxygenation. Future studies of muscle oxygenation should report individual and composite fatigue-induced patterns of responses due to the substantial intra- and inter-individual variabilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the individual and composite patterns of responses and time-course of changes in muscle size, strength, and edema throughout a 4 week low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) resistance training intervention., Methods: Twenty recreationally active women (mean ± SD; 23 ± 3 years) participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to 4 weeks (3/week) of LLBFR (n = 10) or control (n = 10) group. Resistance training consisted of 75 reciprocal isokinetic forearm flexion-extension muscle actions performed at 30% of peak torque. Strength and ultrasound-based assessments were determined at each training session., Results: There were quadratic increases for composite muscle thickness (R 2  = 0.998), concentric peak torque (R 2  = 0.962), and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque (R 2  = 0.980) data for the LLBFR group. For muscle thickness, seven of ten subjects exceeded the minimal difference (MD) of 0.16 cm during the very early phase (laboratory visits 1-7) of the intervention compared to three of ten subjects that exceeded MD for either concentric peak torque (3.7 Nm) or MVIC (2.2 Nm) during this same time period. There was a linear increase for composite echo intensity (r 2  = 0.563) as a result of LLBFR resistance training, but eight of ten subjects never exceeded the MD of 14.2 Au., Conclusions: These findings suggested that the increases in muscle thickness for the LLBFR group were not associated with edema and changes in echo intensity should be examined on a subject-by-subject basis. Furthermore, LLBFR forearm flexion-extension resistance training elicited real increases in muscle size during the very early phase of training that occurred prior to real increases in muscle strength.

Abstract: Hill, EC, Housh, TJ, Smith, CM, Keller, JL, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. High- vs. low-intensity fatiguing eccentric exercise on muscle thickness, strength, and blood flow. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 33-40, 2021-The purpose of this investigation was to examine the acute effects of equal volumes of fatiguing high- vs. low-intensity eccentric muscle actions on changes in muscle thickness, echo intensity, muscle blood flow, and adipose thickness. Eighteen men (mean ± SD = 23.2 ± 3.0 years) performed eccentric peak torque (PT) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) trials before (pretest), immediately after (posttest), and 5 minutes after (recovery) performing randomly ordered fatiguing eccentric, isokinetic (180°·s-1) muscle actions of the elbow flexors at 40% (72 repetitions) or 80% (36 repetitions) of eccentric PT. Muscle thickness, exercise-induced edema, muscle blood flow, and adipose thickness were also assessed via ultrasound at pretest, posttest, and recovery. There were no intensity-specific effects on the patterns of responses for eccentric PT, MVIC, muscle thickness, echo intensity, muscle blood flow, or adipose thickness. There were, however, effects across time that decreased from pretest to posttest and from pretest to recovery for eccentric PT (21.5 and 13.0%), MVIC (14.6 and 5.8%), and adipose thickness (10.0 and 6.0%), but increased for muscle thickness (7.6 and 5.9%), echo intensity (13.7 and 9.9%), and muscle blood flow (129.6 and 90.1%) (collapsed across 40 and 80%). These findings indicated that when matched for exercise volume, there were no intensity-related effects on the increases in muscle thickness, echo intensity, muscle blood flow, or the decreases in eccentric PT, MVIC, and adipose thickness after fatiguing eccentric muscle actions. Therefore, exercise volume, independent of exercise intensity and number of repetitions, may be a mediating factor of muscle fatigue and performance during eccentric muscle actions., (Copyright © 2018 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Purpose: Low-load venous blood flow restriction resistance training (RT + BFR) has been demonstrated to increase muscle strength to a greater degree than low-load non-BFR resistance training (RT) during isotonic training, but no previous investigations have examined RT + BFR versus RT during isokinetic training. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of isokinetic low-load RT + BFR versus low-load RT on indices of muscle strength, muscle size, and neural adaptations., Methods: Thirty women (mean ± SD; 22 ± 2 years) participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of either RT + BFR (n = 10), RT (n = 10), or control (n = 10) group. Resistance training consisted of 75 reciprocal forearm flexion-extension isokinetic muscle actions of the forearm flexors performed at a velocity of 120°s -1 ., Results: Concentric peak torque increased to a greater extent for RT + BFR after 4 weeks (36.9%) compared to RT (25.8%), but there were similar increases in isometric torque (23.3-42.1%). For both RT + BFR and RT, there were similar increases in muscle cross-sectional area and muscle thickness of the biceps brachii after 2 weeks (11.3-14.3% and 12.4-12.9%, respectively) and 4 weeks (18.7-21.9% and 19.0-20.0%, respectively). There were similar increases in mechanomyographic amplitude, mechanomyographic mean power frequency, and electromyographic mean power frequency, but no changes in electromyographic amplitude for all conditions (including control)., Conclusions: These findings indicated that low-load RT + BFR elicited greater increases in concentric strength than low-load RT, but elicited comparable increases in isometric strength and muscle size. There were also no differences in any of the EMG and MMG responses among conditions.

The purpose of this study was to compare isokinetic peak torque and the patterns of responses for electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG), amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) for bilateral (BL) versus unilateral (UL), maximal, isokinetic leg extensions. Eleven recreationally trained women (Mean ± SD: age 22.9 ± 0.9 yrs; body mass 60.5 ± 10.1 kg; height 167.2 ± 6.4 cm) performed 50 maximal, BL and UL isokinetic leg extensions at 60° s -1 on separate days. Electromyographic and MMG signals from the vastus lateralis of the nondominant leg were recorded. Five separate 2 (Condition [BL and UL]) × 10 (Repetitions [5-50]) repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to examine normalized EMG AMP, EMG MPF, MMG AMP, MMG MPF, and isokinetic torque. The results indicated no significant interactions or main effects for EMG AMP and MMG AMP. There were significant interactions for normalized isokinetic peak torque (p < 0.001, η 2 p  = 0.493) and MMG MPF (p = 0.003, η 2 p  = 0.234). For EMG MPF, there was no significant interaction, but significant main effects for Condition (p = 0.003, η 2 p  = 0.607) and Repetitions (p < 0.001, η 2 p  = 0.805). The current findings demonstrated greater performance fatigability for UL than BL leg extensions. Both modalities exhibited similar patterns of neuromuscular responses that were consistent with the Muscular Wisdom hypothesis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors report no conflicts of interest for this manuscript. Additionally, there were no external funding sources., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the study was to examine the fatigue-related patterns of responses for electromyography (EMG), mechanomyography (MMG), and force during a sustained isometric muscle action anchored to RPE = 5. Ten men (22.9 ± 2.0 year) performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) prior to and following an isometric leg extension muscle action, which was sustained for a maximal time-limit of 5 min or until it could not be maintained at RPE = 5 (actual time-limit). EMG amplitude (AMP), EMG mean power-frequency (MPF), MMG AMP, MMG MPF, and force values were determined every 5% of the actual time-limit. Regression analyses were used to examine the neuromuscular parameters and force responses, and a t test was used to examine MVIC. The pretest MVIC (62.4 ± 14.3 kg) was significantly (p < 0.001; d = 1.07) greater than posttest (47.9 ± 12.8 kg). The percent decline in force during the sustained isometric muscle action was 47.5 ± 19.6%, and there was a significant, negative force versus time relationship (p < 0.001; R = - 0.980). There was a significant, negative EMG AMP versus time relationship (p < 0.001; R = -0.789), but no significant (p > 0.05) relationships for EMG MPF, MMG AMP, or MMG MPF versus time. The findings indicated that it was necessary to reduce force and EMG AMP to maintain RPE = 5. We hypothesize that the maintenance of RPE = 5 was initially accomplished by an anticipatory feedforward mechanism and then continuous integrations of afferent feedback, which resulted in reductions of EMG AMP and force, due to reductions in neural drive, to attenuate the impact of metabolic byproducts.

Purpose: Unaccustomed exercise can result in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), particularly as a result of the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction. Resistance training combined with venous blood flow restriction (vBFR) may attenuate DOMS, but the available information in this regard is conflicting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low-load eccentric vBFR (Ecc-vBFR) and concentric vBFR (Con-vBFR) resistance training on indices of DOMS., Methods: Twenty-five previously untrained women completed seven days of either Ecc-vBFR (n = 12) or Con-vBFR (n = 13) forearm flexion resistance training at a velocity of 120° s -1 on an isokinetic dynamometer. The Ecc-vBFR group used a training load that corresponded to 30% of eccentric peak torque and the Con-vBFR group used a training load that corresponded to 30% of concentric peak torque., Results: There were no differences between Ecc-vBFR and Con-vBFR at any of the seven training sessions on any of the indices of DOMS. There were no decreases in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque which increased at days 6 and 7. Similarly, there were no changes in perceived muscle soreness, pain pressure threshold, elbow joint angle, or edema (as assessed by echo intensity via ultrasound) across the seven training sessions., Conclusions: The Ecc-vBFR and Con-vBFR low-load training protocols were not associated with DOMS and there were no differences between protocols when performed using the same relative training intensity. These findings suggested that both unaccustomed eccentric and concentric low-load training did not result in DOMS when combined with vBFR.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in reflex -electromechanical delay (EMD) as a result of 2- and 4-wks of variable resistance training (VRT) or dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) leg press training. Material and Methods: Thirty-six men were randomised into either the Control, DCER, or VRT groups. The DCER and VRT groups performed 3 sets of 10 leg press repetitions 3-d·wk -1 for 4-wks. Reflex -EMD was measured at Baseline, Week-2, and Week-4. Results: The reflex -EMD durations decreased from Baseline at Week-2 and Week-4 for the VRT group, but not the DCER or Control groups. The reflex response < electrochemical process < mechanical process < total reflex -EMD for all groups. Conclusions: VRT elicited greater reflex adaptations compared to DCER training which indicated that VRT may be beneficial to incorporate into training or physical therapy programmes for pilots, soldiers, elderly, athletes, or professions that require quick reflexes and response times.

Objectives: To examine the time course of changes in electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) responses during cycle ergometry to exhaustion performed above (CP +10% ) and below (CP -10% ) critical power (CP) to infer motor unit activation strategies used to maintain power output., Methods: Participants performed a 3-min all out test to determine CP, and 2 randomly ordered, continuous rides to exhaustion at CP +10% and CP -10% ·V̇O 2 , EMG AMP, EMG MPF, MMG AMP, MMG MPF, and time to exhaustion (T lim ) were recorded. Responses at CP -10% and CP +10% were analyzed separately., Results: At CP -10% , EMG and MMG AMP were significantly greater than the initial 5% timepoint at 100% T lim . EMG MPF and MMG MPF reflected a downward trend that resulted in no significant difference between timepoints. At CP +10% , EMG AMP was significantly greater than the initial 5% timepoint from 60% to 100% T lim . MMG AMP was less than the initial 5% timepoint at only 50% T lim . EMG and MMG MPF were significantly less than the initial 5% timepoint at 20% T lim and 100% T lim , respectively., Conclusions: The timecourse of changes in EMG and MMG signals were different at CP -10% and CP +10% , but responses observed indicated cycle ergometry to exhaustion relies on similar motor unit activation strategies.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine the fatigue-related patterns of responses for electromyography (EMG), mechanomyography (MMG), and force during a sustained, submaximal isometric leg extension muscle action anchored at RPE = 5., Methods: Ten women (23.1 ± 2.3 year) performed two, maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) prior to and following an isometric muscle action that was sustained at RPE = 5 (OMNI-RES) for a maximal time-limit of 5 min or until RPE = 5 could not be maintained (actual time-limit). EMG amplitude (AMP), EMG mean power frequency (MPF), MMG AMP, MMG MPF, and force values were determined every 5% of the actual or maximal time-limit. Regression analyses were used to examine the neuromuscular parameters and force vs. time relationships., Results: The pretest MVIC (46.9 ± 8.9 kg) was significantly (p = 0.003; d = 1.8) greater than posttest (36.4 ± 5.3 kg) MVIC. The actual time-limit was 180 ± 90.9 s (range 84.8-300 s). The percent decline in force production during the sustained isometric muscle action was 34.7 ± 17.1%, and there was a significant negative, quadratic force vs. time relationship (p < 0.001; R = - 0.983). There was a significant positive, quadratic MMG AMP vs. time relationship (p < 0.001; R = 0.852), but no significant (p > 0.05) relationships for EMG AMP, EMG MPF, or MMG MPF vs. time., Conclusions: The current findings indicated that it was necessary to reduce force to maintain RPE = 5. The neuromuscular and force responses supported the RPE clamp model and suggested that force was initially regulated by anticipatory feedforward mechanisms and then altered by afferent feedback.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise intensity and strength on sex-related differences in eccentric peak torque (PT), muscle blood flow, and neuromuscular responses following fatiguing, submaximal forearm flexion eccentric protocols., Methods: Thirty-six subjects were stratified by sex and strength into 4 equal groups and randomly performed fatiguing eccentric, isokinetic (180°·s -1 ), forearm flexion protocols at 40% or 80% of eccentric PT. Eccentric PT, muscle blood flow, and neuromuscular responses were measured prior to (pretest), immediately (posttest), and 5-min after (5-min recovery) performing the fatiguing protocols., Results: There was no sex-, intensity-, or strength-related difference in the magnitude of decrease in eccentric PT at posttest (80.0% of pretest) or the magnitude of recovery at 5-min (87.8% of pretest). Muscle blood flow increased similarly for men (139.8% of pretest) and women (178.7% of pretest) at posttest, but the magnitude of recovery was greater for the women (62.9%) than the men (41.4%). The neuromuscular responses were not affected by sex-, intensity-, or strength-related differences., Conclusions: These findings indicated that there were few sex-related differences in eccentric PT, muscle blood flow, and neuromuscular responses as a result of the fatiguing eccentric protocols performed at a high or low intensity of exercise.

The primary purpose of the present investigation was to examine sex-related differences as a result of fatiguing eccentric muscle actions on torque, muscle blood flow, electromyography, and mechanomyography. Eighteen men and 18 women performed peak torque trials prior to (pretest), immediately after (posttest), and 5-min after (recovery) completing 50 submaximal (60% of eccentric peak torque), eccentric, isokinetic (180°·s -1 ) muscle actions of the elbow flexors. Electromyographic and mechanomyographic responses were simultaneously recorded from the biceps brachii muscle, and muscle blood flow was measured at pretest, posttest and recovery. There were sex- and mode-specific responses for torque, but there were no sex-specific muscle blood flow or neuromuscular responses. From pretest to posttest, torque decreased (80.0-88.2% of pretest) for both the men and women. At recovery concentric peak torque recovered to a greater extent in women (95.0% of pretest) than men (88.0% of pretest), while eccentric peak torque recovered to a greater extent in men (88.9% of pretest) than women (86.9% of pretest). The sex-specific torque responses were not associated with different motor control strategies or differences in the occlusion of muscle blood flow between the men and women. For both men and women, eccentric fatiguing exercise is manifested similarly during isometric muscle actions, but not during eccentric and concentric muscle actions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Keller, JL, Housh, TJ, Smith, CM, Hill, EC, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. Sex-related differences in the accuracy of estimating target force using percentages of maximal voluntary isometric contractions vs. ratings of perceived exertion during isometric muscle actions. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3294-3300, 2018-The purpose of this study was to examine sex-related differences in the accuracy of estimating actual target force and to compare the accuracy of estimating actual target force using percentages of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) or ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) values during isometric leg flexion and leg extension muscle actions. Twenty adults, 10 women and 10 men, (mean ± SD age: 22.9 ± 2.9 years) completed pretest MVICs to calculate actual target force values at 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% of MVIC. Additional trials were then randomized for estimating actual target force using percentages of MVIC or RPE values during isometric leg flexion or leg extension. For isometric leg flexion, the women and men overestimated (p ≤ 0.05) the actual target force at 10% for the percentage of MVIC and RPE trials and underestimated the actual target force at 90% for the RPE trial. For isometric leg extension, the women overestimated the actual target force at 10% for the percentage of MVIC trial and RPE trial. The men overestimated actual target force at 10 and 30% for the percentage of MVIC trial and overestimated actual target force at 10% during the RPE trial for isometric leg extension. Also, the men underestimated actual target force at 90% for both the percentage of MVIC trial and RPE trial. Men require more familiarization than women to accurately estimate isometric leg extension force values. Caution should be used when estimating force production as a percentage of MVIC or RPE value for training prescriptions.

Purpose: Low-intensity venous blood flow restriction (vBFR) resistance training has been shown to promote increases in muscle strength and size. Eccentric-only muscle actions are typically a more potent stimulus to increase muscle strength and size than concentric-only muscle actions performed at the same relative intensities. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the time-course of changes in muscle strength, hypertrophy, and neuromuscular adaptations following 4 weeks of unilateral forearm flexion low-intensity eccentric vBFR (Ecc-vBFR) vs. low-intensity concentric vBFR (Con-vBFR) resistance training performed at the same relative intensity., Methods: Thirty-six women were randomly assigned to either Ecc-vBFR (n = 12), Con-vBFR (n = 12) or control (no intervention, n = 12) group. Ecc-vBFR trained at 30% of eccentric peak torque and Con-vBFR trained at 30% of concentric peak torque. All training and testing procedures were performed at an isokinetic velocity of 120° s - ¹., Results: Muscle strength increased similarly from 0 to 2 and 4 weeks of training as a result of Ecc-vBFR (13.9 and 35.0%) and Con-vBFR (13.4 and 31.2%), but there were no changes in muscle strength for the control group. Muscle thickness increased similarly from 0 to 2 and 4 weeks of training as a result of Ecc-vBFR (11.4 and 12.8%) and Con-vBFR (9.1 and 9.9%), but there were no changes for the control group. In addition, there were no changes in any of the neuromuscular responses., Conclusions: The Ecc-vBFR and Con-vBFR low-intensity training induced comparable increases in muscle strength and size. The increases in muscle strength, however, were not associated with neuromuscular adaptations.

The purposes of this study were to examine: 1) the potential muscle-specific differences in voluntary electromechanical delay (EMD) and relaxation electromechanical delay (R-EMD), and 2) the effects of intensity on EMD and R-EMD during step incremental isometric muscle actions from 10 to 100% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). EMD and R-EMD measures were calculated from the simultaneous assessments of electromyography, mechanomyography, and force production from the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) during step isometric muscle actions. There were no differences between the VL, VM, and RF for the voluntary EMD E-M (onsets of the electromyographic to mechanomyographic signals), EMD M-F (onsets the mechanomyographic to force production), or EMD E-F (onsets of the electromyographic signal to force production) as well as R-EMD E-M (cessation of electromyographic to mechanomyographic signal), R-EMD M-F (cessation of mechanomyographic signal to force cessation), or R-EMD E-F (cessation of electromyorgraphic signal to force cessation) at any intensity. There were decreases in all EMD and R-EMD measures with increases in intensity. The relative contributions from EMD E-M and EMD M-F to EMD E-F as well as R-EMD E-M and R-EMD M-F to R-EMD E-F remained similar across all intensities. The superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris shared similar EMD and R-EMD measurements.

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., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hill, EC, Housh, TJ, Smith, CM, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. Gender- and muscle-specific responses during fatiguing exercise. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1471-1478, 2018-The purpose of the present investigation was to examine potential gender-related differences in electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) responses during submaximal, concentric, isokinetic, forearm flexion muscle contractions. Twelve men and 12 women performed concentric peak torque trials before (pretest) and after (posttest) a fatiguing exercise bout that consisted of 50 submaximal (65% of concentric peak torque), concentric, isokinetic (60°·s), forearm flexion muscle contractions. Surface EMG and MMG signals were simultaneously recorded from the biceps brachii and brachioradialis muscles. There was a gender-related difference in the decline in absolute concentric peak torque for the men (23.8%) vs. women (18.5%) that was eliminated when covaried for differences in pretest concentric peak torque values. During the fatiguing exercise bout, EMG amplitude(AMP) increased and EMG mean power frequency (MPF) decreased for both genders and muscles. There were, however, muscle- and gender-specific increases, decreases, and no changes for MMG AMP and MMG MPF. The gender-related difference for the posttest decline in concentric peak torque was associated with differences in muscle strength which may have resulted in greater blood flow occlusion in the men than the women. The muscles with the most pronounced fatigue-induced neuromuscular responses were the biceps brachii in men and the brachioradialis in women. These findings may be related to gender differences in the usage patterns of synergistic muscles during a fatiguing task.

Introduction: The onsets of the electromyographic (EMG) signal, mechanomyographic (MMG) signal, and force production were used to identify voluntary electromechanical delay (EMD) during maximal and submaximal leg extensions., Methods: Twelve men performed 30% 1-repetition-maximum concentric, dynamic constant external resistance leg extensions to failure. The time periods for the onsets of EMG to MMG (EMD E-M ), MMG to force (EMD M-F ), and EMG to force (EMD E-F ) were assessed before, during, and after testing., Results: Pretest vs. posttest assessments indicated approximately equal contributions from excitation-contraction coupling (EMD E-M ) and series elastic component (EMD M-F ) to the overall EMD E-F . During the workbout, excitation-contraction coupling failure and increases in the compliance of the series elastic component began at 40% and 30% of the repetitions to failure, respectively, and continued to failure., Conclusions: Increases in the series elastic component (EMD M-F ) began to affect EMD E-F before excitation-contraction coupling failure (EMD E-M ), and both contributed to EMD E-F throughout the remainder of the fatiguing workbout. Muscle Nerve 56: 315-320, 2017., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Jenkins, NDM, Housh, TJ, Buckner, SL, Bergstrom, HC, Cochrane, KC, Hill, EC, Smith, CM, Schmidt, RJ, Johnson, GO, and Cramer, JT. Neuromuscular adaptations after 2 and 4 weeks of 80% versus 30% 1 repetition maximum resistance training to failure. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2174-2185, 2016-The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypertrophic, strength, and neuromuscular adaptations to 2 and 4 weeks of resistance training at 80 vs. 30% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in untrained men. Fifteen untrained men (mean ± SD; age = 21.7 ± 2.4 years; weight = 84.7 ± 23.5 kg) were randomly assigned to either a high-load (n = 7) or low-load (n = 8) resistance training group and completed forearm flexion resistance training to failure 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Forearm flexor muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity, maximal voluntary isometric (MVIC) and 1RM strength, and the electromyographic, mechanomyographic (MMG), and percent voluntary activation (%VA) responses at 10-100% of MVIC were determined at baseline, 2, and 4 weeks of training. The MT increased from baseline (2.9 ± 0.1 cm) to week 2 (3.0 ± 0.1 cm) and to week 4 (3.1 ± 0.1 cm) for the 80 and 30% 1RM groups. MVIC increased from week 2 (121.5 ± 19.1 Nm) to week 4 (138.6 ± 22.1 Nm) and 1RM increased from baseline (16.7 ± 1.6 kg) to weeks 2 and 4 (19.2 ± 1.9 and 20.5 ± 1.8 kg) in the 80% 1RM group only. The MMG amplitude at 80 and 90% MVIC decreased from baseline to week 4, and %VA increased at 20 and 30% MVIC for both groups. Resistance training to failure at 80 vs. 30% 1RM elicited similar muscle hypertrophy, but only 80% 1RM increased muscle strength. However, these disparate strength adaptations were difficult to explain with neuromuscular adaptations because they were subtle and similar for the 80 and 30% 1RM groups.

The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of the velocity of repeated eccentric muscle actions on the torque and neuromuscular responses during maximal isometric and eccentric muscle actions. Twelve resistance-trained men performed 30 repeated, maximal, eccentric, isokinetic muscle actions at randomly ordered velocities of 60, 120, or 180°·s on separate days. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) were performed before (pretest) and after (posttest) the repeated eccentric muscle actions on each day. Eccentric isokinetic peak torque (EIPT) values were the averages of the first 3 and last 3 repetitions of the 30 repeated eccentric muscle actions. During the EIPT and MVIC muscle actions, electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude (EMG AMP and MMG AMP) and mean power frequency (EMG MPF and MMG MPF) values were assessed. These results indicated that the repeated eccentric muscle actions had no effects on EIPT, or the EMG AMP, EMG MPF, or MMG MPF values assessed during the EIPT muscle actions, but decreased MMG AMP. The repeated eccentric muscle actions, however, decreased MVIC torque, and also the EMG AMP and MMG MPF values assessed during the MVIC muscle actions, but increased MMG AMP. The results indicated that the velocity of the repeated eccentric muscle actions affected the MVIC torque responses, but not EIPT or any of the neuromuscular parameters. Furthermore, there are differences in the torque and neuromuscular responses for isometric vs. eccentric muscle actions after repeated eccentric muscle actions.

In this response, we addressed the specific issues raised by Vigotsky et al. and clarified (1) our methods and adherence to electromyographic signal reporting standards, (2) our interpretation of EMG amplitude, and (3) our interpretation of EMG mean power frequency.

Ten subjects performed four 8-min rides (65%-80% peak oxygen consumption) to determine the physical working capacity at the OMNI rating of perceived exertion (RPE) threshold (PWCOMNI). Polynomial regression analyses were used to examine the patterns of responses for surface electromyographic (EMG) amplitude (EMG AMP), EMG mean power frequency (EMG MPF), mechanomyographic (MMG) AMP, and MMG MPF of the vastus lateralis as well as oxygen consumption rate, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and power output (PO) were examined during a 1-h ride on a cycle ergometer at a constant RPE that corresponded to the PWCOMNI. EMG AMP and MMG MPF tracked the decreases in oxygen consumption rate, RER, and PO, while EMG MPF and MMG AMP tracked RPE. The decreases in EMG AMP and MMG MPF were likely attributable to decreases in motor unit (MU) recruitment and firing rate, while the lack of change in MMG AMP may have resulted from a balance between MU de-recruitment as PO decreased, and an increase in the ability of activated fibers to oscillate. The current findings suggested that during submaximal cycle ergometry at a constant RPE, MU de-recruitment and mechanical changes within the muscle may influence the perception of effort via feedback from group III and IV afferents.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate electromyographic amplitude (EMG AMP), EMG mean power frequency (MPF), exercise volume (VOL), total work and muscle activation (iEMG), and time under concentric load (TUCL) during, and muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) before and after 3 sets to failure at 80 vs. 30 % 1RM resistance exercise., Methods: Nine men (mean ± SD, age 21.0 ± 2.4 years, resistance training week(-1) 6.0 ± 3.7 h) and 9 women (age 22.8 ± 3.8 years, resistance training week(-1) 3.4 ± 3.5 h) completed 1RM testing, followed by 2 experimental sessions during which they completed 3 sets to failure of leg extension exercise at 80 or 30 % 1RM. EMG signals were collected to quantify EMG AMP and MPF during the initial, middle, and last repetition of each set. Ultrasound was used to assess mCSA pre- and post-exercise, and VOL, total work, iEMG, and TUCL were calculated., Results: EMG AMP remained greater at 80 % than 30 % 1RM across all reps and sets, despite increasing 74 and 147 % across reps at 80 and 30 % 1RM, respectively. EMG MPF decreased across reps at 80 and 30 % 1RM, but decreased more and was lower for the last reps at 30 than 80 % 1RM (71.6 vs. 78.1 % MVIC). mCSA increased more from pre- to post-exercise for 30 % (20.2-24.1 cm(2)) than 80 % 1RM (20.3-22.8 cm(2)). VOL, total work, iEMG and TUCL were greater for 30 % than 80 % 1RM., Conclusion: Muscle activation was greater at 80 % 1RM. However, differences in volume, metabolic byproduct accumulation, and muscle swelling may help explain the unexpected adaptations in hypertrophy vs. strength observed in previous studies.

Introduction: We compared absolute and normalized values for peak torque (PT), mean power (MP), rate of velocity development, and electromyography (EMG) amplitude during maximal isometric and concentric isokinetic leg extension muscle actions, as well as the %decrease in PT and %increase in MP from 1.05 to 3.14 rad·s(-1) in younger versus older men., Methods: Measurements were performed twice for reliability. Isokinetic measurements were normalized to the isometric muscle actions., Results: Absolute isometric PT, isokinetic PT and MP, and EMG amplitudes at 1.05 and 3.14 rad·s(-1) were greater in the younger men, although normalizing to isometric PT eliminated the age differences. The older men exhibited greater %decrease in PT (37.2% vs. 31.3%) and lower %increase in MP (87.6% vs. 126.4%) regardless of normalization., Conclusions: Normalization eliminated absolute differences in isokinetic strength and power, but the relative differences from slow to fast velocities may reflect dynapenia characterized by age-related decreases in fast-twitch fiber function., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of isokinetic forearm flexion (FLX) and extension (EXT) peak torque (PT) at 180°·s, height (HT), percent body fat (%BF), and fat-free mass (FFM) to the prediction of estimated propulsive force (EPF) and which of these variables should be a focus of training in young male swimmers. Thirty young male swimmers (mean age ± SD = 12.4 ± 2.7 years) volunteered for this study. The subjects were members of local swimming clubs who competed in the front crawl. The swimmers were measured for FLX and EXT PT at 180°·s, HT, body mass (BM), arm muscle area (AMA), arm circumference, triceps skinfold, %BF, and FFM. Arm muscle area was used to calculate EPF. Zero-order correlations and stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships among variables and the relative contributions of FLX, EXT, HT, %BF, and FFM to the prediction of EPF. Forearm flexion PT at 180°·s, EXT, BM, HT, FFM, AMA, and EPF were significantly intercorrelated (r = 0.83-1.00). In addition, 4 variables contributed significantly to the prediction of EPF (standardized regression coefficients = FFM [1.00], FLX [0.92], EXT [-0.62], and HT [-0.35]). Percent body fat did not contribute to any of the stepwise models. These findings suggested that age-related increases in HT and FFM, as well as training for increases in FLX and EXT strength may improve propulsive force and swimming performance in young male swimmers.

Purpose: To quantify the reliability of isometric leg extension torque (LEMVC), rate of torque development (LERTD), isometric handgrip force (HGMVC) and RFD (HGRFD), isokinetic leg extension torque and power at 1.05rad·s(-1) and 3.14rad·s(-1); and explore relationships among strength, power, and balance in older men., Methods: Sixteen older men completed 3 isometric handgrips, 3 isometric leg extensions, and 3 isokinetic leg extensions at 1.05rad·s(-1) and 3.14rad·s(-1) during two visits. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), ICC confidence intervals (95% CI), coefficients of variation (CVs), and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated., Results: LERTD demonstrated no reliability. The CVs for LERTD and HGRFD were ≤23.26%. HGMVC wasn't related to leg extension torque or power, or balance (r=0.14-0.47; p>0.05). However, moderate to strong relationships were found among isokinetic leg extension torque at 1.05rad·s(-1) and 3.14rad·s(-1), leg extension mean power at 1.05rad·s(-1), and functional reach (r=0.51-0.95; p≤0.05)., Conclusions: LERTD and HGRFD weren't reliable and shouldn't be used as outcome variables in older men. Handgrip strength may not be an appropriate surrogate for lower body strength, power, or balance. Instead, perhaps handgrip strength should only be used to describe upper body strength or functionality, which may compliment isokinetic assessments of lower body strength, which were reliable and related to balance., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to compare the voluntary and evoked, absolute and normalized leg extension rates of torque development (RTD) and rates of rise in electromyography (RER) during commonly reported time intervals in young and old men. Fourteen young men (21.9±3.2years) and 16 older men (72.3±7.3years) completed three evoked and three voluntary isometric leg extension muscle actions to quantify absolute voluntary (peak, 30, 50, 100, and 200ms) and evoked (peak, 30, 50, and 100ms) RTD and RER. All RTD values were normalized (nRTD) to peak torque, while RER values were normalized (nRER) to peak-to-peak M-wave amplitude (MPP). Absolute voluntary RTDs and RERs were 58-122% and 70-76% greater (p≤0.05) for the young men, respectively. However, there were no age-related differences (p>0.05) for voluntary nRTDs, absolute and normalized evoked RTDs, or voluntary nRER. MPP and evoked RER and nRER were greater (p≤0.05) for the young men. In addition, voluntary RTD was more reliable in the young than the older men. Normalizing RTD to peak torque and RER to M-wave amplitude eliminated the age-related differences and suggested that the age-related declines in RTD and RER were a result of reduced muscle strength and M-wave amplitude, respectively. Therefore, our findings questioned the value of RTD and RER measurements in the various time intervals for explaining sarcopenia and suggested that maximal strength and M-wave amplitude may be sufficient., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of anatabine supplementation in conjunction with unilateral, maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions on serum markers of muscle damage and pro-inflammatory cytokines in humans. Seventeen men (mean ± S.D. age = 22.4 ± 3.2 yrs) participated in this double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to two 10-day conditions (anatabine and placebo) separated by a 2-4 week washout period. After seven days of supplementation, blood was sampled immediately prior to PRE, immediately following POST, and 24, 48, and 72 h after 6 sets of 10 repetitions of unilateral, maximal eccentric isokinetic forearm flexion exercise. Concentrations of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, high sensitivity c-reactive protein, and TNF-α were measured. Creatine kinase, myoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase increased (P<0.05), while high sensitivity c-reactive protein and TNF-α did not change (P>0.05) after the eccentric exercise during both conditions. Lactate dehydrogenase was higher (P<0.05) during the anatabine condition. The primary findings of this study were two-fold: (a) anatabine had no beneficial effects on traditional markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and myoglobin) compared to placebo after the eccentric exercise protocol, and (b) the eccentric exercise protocol did not elicit increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (c-reactive protein and TNF-α). Future studies are needed to examine the effects of anatabine on naturally-occurring inflammation that is common with aging or obesity. Furthermore, additional research is needed to examine the relationship between muscle damage and inflammation after eccentric exercises of different modes, durations, and intensities., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the current study was to examine the patterns of responses for torque, mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude, MMG frequency, electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, and EMG frequency across 30 repeated maximal eccentric muscle actions of the leg extensors. Eleven moderately trained females performed an eccentric fatigue protocol at 30°/s with MMG and EMG signals recorded from the vastus lateralis. The results indicated there were significant (P<.05) decreases in MMG frequency (linear, r2=.395), EMG frequency (linear, r2=.177), and torque (linear, r2=.570; % decline=9.8±13.3%); increases in MMG amplitude (linear, r2=.783); and no change in EMG amplitude (r2=.003). These findings suggested that the neural strategies used to modulate torque during fatiguing eccentric muscle actions involved de-recruitment of motor units, reduced firing rates, and synchronization. In addition, the decreases in eccentric torque were more closely associated with changes in MMG frequency than EMG frequency. Thus, these findings indicated that MMG frequency, compared with EMG frequency, more accurately tracks fatigue during repeated maximal eccentric muscle actions.

Introduction: We compared peak and submaximal mean values for neuromuscular and metabolic parameters between ramp (15 W · min(-1)) and step (30 W increments every 2 min) incremental cycle ergometer tests., Methods: Thirteen healthy adults (7 men and 6 women; mean ± SD age = 23.4 ± 3.3 years) performed randomly ordered ramp or step incremental tests. Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance were used to analyze the data., Results: The ramp incremental test resulted in lower mean EMG amplitude, O2, and HR values at the common power outputs, with no differences for MMG amplitude values., Conclusions: It is possible that the cumulative effect of producing an increased amount of work during the step (total work = 75.83 kJ) vs. ramp (total work = 65.60 kJ) incremental cycle ergometer tests at the common power outputs may have contributed to the greater fatigue-induced increase in muscle recruitment and/or firing rate, oxygen consumption, and heart rate., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The purpose of the present study was to examine the patterns of responses for torque, electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, EMG mean power frequency (MPF), mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude, and MMG MPF across 30 repeated maximal isometric (ISO) and concentric (CON) muscle actions of the leg extensors. Twelve female subjects (21.1±1.4yrs; 63.3±7.4kg) performed ISO and CON fatigue protocols with EMG and MMG signals recorded from the vastus lateralis. The relationships for torque, EMG amplitude, EMG MPF, MMG amplitude, and MMG MPF versus repetition number were examined using polynomial regression. The results indicated there were decreases (p<0.05) across the ISO muscle actions for torque (r(2)=0.95), EMG amplitude (R(2)=0.44), EMG MPF (r(2)=0.62), and MMG MPF (r(2)=0.48), but no change in MMG amplitude (r(2)=0.07). In addition, there were decreases across the CON muscle actions for torque (R(2)=0.97), EMG amplitude (R(2)=0.46), EMG MPF (R(2)=0.86), MMG amplitude (R(2)=0.44), and MMG MPF (R(2)=0.80). Thus, the current findings suggested that the mechanisms of fatigue and motor control strategies used to modulate torque production were similar between maximal ISO and CON muscle actions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

There are limited data regarding metabolic responses during continuous exhaustive rides at critical power (CP) from the 3-min all-out test. In addition, no previous studies have examined the mechanomyographic (MMG) responses at CP from the 3-min all-out test. Therefore, this study examined the metabolic and MMG responses during continuous exercise at CP determined from the 3-min all-out test. Nine college-aged females (mean±SD: age 23.0±3.6yrs) performed an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer to identify the gas exchange threshold, peak oxygen consumption rate (V˙O2 peak) and heart rate peak (HR peak). The V˙O2, HR, MMG amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) responses were examined during continuous rides to exhaustion at CP (81±6% peak power). There were significant increases in V˙O2 and HR over time and there was no significant difference between V˙O2 peak and V˙O2 at exhaustion or HR peak and HR at exhaustion. There were, however, no significant changes for MMG amplitude or MPF over time. Therefore, the current findings suggested that the 3-min all-out test overestimated CP and the demarcation between the heavy and severe intensity domains. Specifically, the V˙O2 and HR responses did not reach a steady state and were driven to peak values. Furthermore, the non-significant change in MMG amplitude and MPF were consistent with the responses observed at fatiguing power outputs (i.e., >80% peak power)., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the specific metabolic and neuromuscular responses at critical power (CP) from the 3-min all-out test. Nine men (mean ± SD: aged 23.7 ± 3.3 years) performed an incremental test for the determination of peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) and gas exchange threshold. CP was estimated for each subject from the 3-min all-out test. Oxygen consumption (VO(2)), the ventilation versus carbon dioxide production ratio (V(E)/VCO(2) ratio), electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, and EMG mean power frequency (MPF) were examined during exhaustive rides at CP for each subject. There was no significant difference between the VO(2) at exhaustion (40.6 ± 7.5 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and VO(2peak) (42.9 ± 7.3 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)). Furthermore, there were significant increases in EMG amplitude and the V(E)/VCO(2) ratio during the exhaustive rides at CP. There was, however, no significant change in EMG MPF over time. Therefore, the current findings indicated that the 3-min all-out test overestimated CP and the demarcation between the heavy- and severe-intensity domains. Specifically, the VO(2), ventilatory, and EMG amplitude responses were consistent with those observed during continuous exercise in the severe exercise intensity domain. It is likely that the ventilatory and EMG amplitude responses were associated with a common mechanism of fatigue that is different from what affects EMG MPF.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 7 days of supplementation with 20 g·d⁻¹ of creatine monohydrate (CM) on mean power (MP) and peak power (PP) from the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), body weight (BW), 1-repetition maximum (1RM) bilateral leg extension (LE) strength, and 1RM bench press (BP) strength. This study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Twenty-two men (mean ± SD: age = 22.1 ± 2.0 years; height = 178.0 ± 5.8 cm; body weight [BW] = 77.6 ± 7.6 kg) were randomly assigned to either a supplement (SUPP; n = 10) or placebo (PLAC; n = 12) group. The SUPP group ingested 20 g·d⁻¹ of CM powder for 7 days, whereas the PLAC ingested 20 g·d⁻¹ of maltodextrin powder. Measurements for the PLAC and SUPP groups included BW, PP, and MP from two 30-second WAnTs (separated by 7 minutes), and 1RM strength for LE and BP. Testing was conducted before (PRE) and after (POST) 7 days of ingesting either the supplement or placebo. The results of this study indicated that there was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase from PRE to POST testing in MP for the SUPP group (5.4%) but not for the PLAC group (-0.3%). There were no between-group differences, however, for 1RM LE and 1RM BP strength. Furthermore, there were no changes in PP or BW for either group. The findings of this study indicated that loading with 20 g·d⁻¹ of CM for 7 days increased MP (5.4% increase) from the WAnT, but it had no effect on strength (1RM LE and 1RM BP), PP, or BW.

Unlabelled: Theoretically, the critical torque (CT), electromyographic mean power frequency fatigue threshold (EMG MPF(FT)), and mechanomyographic mean power frequency fatigue threshold (MMG MPF(FT)) describe the maximal non-fatiguing isometric torque level., Purpose: The purposes of this study were threefold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model for estimating the EMG MPF(FT) during isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors was applicable to isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors; (2) to determine if the mathematical model for estimating the EMG MPF(FT) from the frequency of the EMG signal was applicable to the frequency domain of the MMG signal to estimate a new fatigue threshold called the mechanomyographic mean power frequency fatigue threshold (MMG MPF(FT)); and (3) to compare the mean torque levels derived from the CT, EMG MPF(FT), and MMG MPF(FT) tests during isometric forearm flexion muscle actions., Methods: Ten adults (4 men and 6 women, mean ± SD; age = 22.0 ± 2.1 years) performed three or four continuous, fatiguing, isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors at 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to determine the time to exhaustion (T(lim)) values. The slope coefficient of the linear relationship between total isometric "work" (W(lim) in Nms=torque × T(lim)) and T(lim) was defined as the CT. Surface EMG and MMG signals were recorded from the biceps brachii muscle during each fatiguing isometric muscle action. The EMG and MMG MPF(FT) were defined as the y-intercepts of the isometric torque versus slope coefficient (EMG and MMG MPF versus time) plots., Results: There were no significant differences between fatigue thresholds (CT=26.3 ± 0.8, EMG MPF(FT)=31.4 ± 4.2, and MMG MPF(FT)=29.5 ± 7.0%MVIC), and the mean torque values (Nm) from the three fatigue thresholds were significantly intercorrelated at r = 0.94-0.96., Conclusion: The EMG MPF(FT) test may provide a non-invasive method to examine the effects of interventions on the conduction velocity and shape of the action potential waveform. In addition, the effects of interventions on the global motor unit firing rate of the unfused, activated motor units may be examined by the non-invasive methods of the MMG MPF(FT) test., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of 28 days of polyethylene glycosylated creatine (PEG-creatine) supplementation on 1-repetition maximum bench press (1RMBP) and leg extension (1RMLE), mean power (MP), and peak power (PP) from the Wingate Anaerobic test and body weight (BW). This study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design. Twenty-two untrained men (mean age ± SD = 22.1 ± 2.1 years) were randomly assigned to either a Creatine (n = 10) or Placebo (n = 12) group. The Creatine group ingested PEG-creatine (5 g·d), whereas the Placebo group ingested maltodextrin powder (5 g·d). All subjects performed bench press and bilateral leg extension exercises to determine their 1RM values, and 2 consecutive Wingate Anaerobic Tests (separated by 7 minutes) on a cycle ergometer to determine MP and PP before supplementation (day 0) and after 7 (day 7) and 28 (day 28) days of supplementation. The results indicated that there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in 1RMBP between days 0 and 28 for the Creatine group but not for the Placebo group. There were no significant changes, however, in 1RMLE, MP, PP, or BW for the Creatine or Placebo group. These findings indicated that 28 days of PEG-creatine supplementation without resistance training increased upper body strength but not lower body strength or muscular power. These findings supported the use of the PEG-creatine supplement for increasing 1RMBP strength in untrained individuals.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of the daily administration of an arginine-based supplement for 4 weeks on the gas exchange threshold (GET) and peak oxygen uptake. The study used a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Forty-one college-aged males (mean age +/- SD = 22.1 +/- 2.4 years) were randomized into either the PLACEBO (n = 20) or ARGININE (n = 21) group. The placebo was microcrystalline cellulose. The ARGININE group ingested 3.0 g of arginine, 300 mg of grape seed extract, and 300 mg of polyethylene glycol. All subjects performed an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer prior to supplementation (PRE) and after 4 weeks of supplementation (POST). The GET was determined by using the V-slope method of the carbon dioxide output vs. oxygen uptake relationship. The results indicated that there were significant mean increases (PRE to POST) in GET (4.1%), as well as in carbon dioxide output (4.3%) and power output (5.4%) at the GET for the ARGININE group, but no significant changes for the PLACEBO group (2.5%, 4.3%, and 3.9%, respectively). In addition, there were no significant changes in peak oxygen uptake for the ARGININE (-1.0%) or PLACEBO (-1.5%) groups. These findings supported the use of the arginine-based supplement for increasing GET and the associated power output, but not for increasing peak oxygen uptake during cycle ergometry.

Unlabelled: Theoretically, the mechanomyographic (MMG) mean power frequency fatigue threshold (MMG MPF(FT)) describes the maximal isometric torque that can be maintained for an extended period of time with no change in the global firing rate of the unfused, activated motor units., Purpose: The purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model for estimating the electromyographic (EMG) MPF(FT) from the frequency of the EMG signal was applicable to the frequency domain of the MMG signal to estimate a new fatigue threshold called the MMG MPF(FT); and (2) to compare the mean torque levels derived from the MMG MPF(FT) test for the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles during isometric leg extension muscle actions., Methods: Nine adults (4 men and 5 women; mean+/-S.D. age=21.6+/-1.2 years) performed three or four continuous, fatiguing, isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors at 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to exhaustion. Surface MMG signals were recorded from the VL, VM, and RF muscles during each fatiguing isometric muscle action. The MMG MPF(FT) was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus slope coefficient (MMG MPF versus time) plot., Results: There were no significant differences among the MMG MPF(FT) values for the VL, VM, and RF (34.8+/-23.4, 32.1+/-16.1, and 31.6+/-15.2 Nm, respectively) muscles., Conclusion: The MMG MPF(FT) test may provide a non-invasive method to examine the effects of various interventions on the global motor unit firing rate during isometric muscle actions., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The purposes of this investigation were twofold: (1) to determine if the model used for estimating the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWC(FT)) from electromyographic (EMG) amplitude data could be applied to the frequency domain of the signal to derive a new fatigue threshold for cycle ergometry called the mean power frequency fatigue threshold (MPF(FT)), and (2) to compare the power outputs associated with the PWC(FT), MPF(FT), ventilatory threshold (VT), and respiratory compensation point (RCP). Sixteen men [mean (SD) age = 23.4 (3.2) years] performed incremental cycle ergometer rides to exhaustion with bipolar surface EMG signals recorded from the vastus lateralis. There were significant (p < 0.05) mean differences for PWC(FT) [mean (SD) = 168 (36) W] versus MPF(FT) [208 (37) W] and VT [152 (33) W] versus RCP [205 (84) W], but no mean differences for PWC(FT) versus VT or MPF(FT) versus RCP. The mean difference between PWC(FT) and MPF(FT) may be due to the effects of specific metabolites that independently influence the time and frequency domains of the EMG signal. These findings indicated that the PWC(FT) model could be applied to the frequency domain of the EMG signal to estimate MPF(FT). Furthermore, the current findings suggested that the PWC(FT) may demarcate the moderate from heavy exercise domains, while the MPF(FT) demarcates heavy from severe exercise intensities.

Unlabelled: Theoretically, the critical torque (CT) and electromyographic mean power frequency fatigue threshold (EMG MPF(FT)) describe the maximal non-fatiguing isometric torque level., Purpose: The purposes of this study were two-fold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model for estimating the EMG fatigue threshold (EMG(FT)) from the amplitude of the EMG signal was applicable to the frequency domain of the EMG signal to estimate a new fatigue threshold called the EMG MPF(FT); and (2) to compare the torque level derived from the CT test to that of the EMG MPF(FT) test for the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors., Methods: Nine adults (4 men and 5 women; mean+/-SD age=21.6+/-1.2 yr) performed three or four continuous, fatiguing, isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors at 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to determine the time to exhaustion (T(lim)) values. The slope coefficient of the linear relationship between total isometric "work" (W(lim) in Nms=TorquexT(lim)) and T(lim) was defined as the CT. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during each fatiguing isometric muscle action. The EMG MPF(FT) was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus slope coefficient (EMG MPF versus time) plot., Results: There were no significant differences between CT (19.7+/-5.8%MVIC) and EMG MPF(FT) (21.4+/-8.7%MVIC)., Conclusion: These findings provided indirect validation of the EMG MPF(FT) test.

This investigation examined the effects of a protease supplement on selected markers of muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The study used a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Twenty men (mean +/- SD age = 21.0 +/- 3.1 years) were randomly assigned to either a supplement group (SUPP) or a placebo group (PLAC). All subjects were tested for unilateral isometric forearm flexion strength, hanging joint angle, relaxed arm circumference, subjective pain rating, and plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration. The testing occurred before (TIME1), immediately after (TIME2), and 24 (TIME3), 48 (TIME4), and 72 (TIME5) hours after a bout of eccentric exercise. During these tests, the subjects in the SUPP group ingested a protease supplement. The subjects in the PLAC group took microcrystalline cellulose. After testing at TIME5 and 2 weeks of rest, the subjects were crossed over into the opposite group and performed the same tests as during visits 1-5, but with the opposite limb. Overall, isometric forearm flexion strength was greater (7.6%) for the SUPP group than for the PLAC group, despite nearly identical (difference = 0.14 N.m, p = 0.940) mean strength values before (TIME1) the eccentric exercise protocol. There were no between-group differences for hanging joint angle, relaxed arm circumference, subjective pain ratings, and plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration from TIME1 to TIME5. These findings provided initial evidence that the protease supplement may be useful for reducing strength loss immediately after eccentric exercise and for aiding in short-term strength recovery. The protease supplement had no effect, however, on the perception of pain associated with DOMS or the blood markers of muscle damage.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of interelectrode distance (IED) on the relationships of absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus power output during incremental cycle ergometry. Eleven adults (mean +/- S.D. age = 24.2 +/- 2.6 y; V(O2max) = 49.4 +/- 8.3 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) performed incremental cycle ergometry tests. Surface EMG signals were recorded simultaneously from bipolar electrode arrangements placed over the VL muscle with IEDs of 20, 40, and 60 mm. Polynomial regression analyses were used to describe the relationships for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude (muV(rms) and % max) and MPF (Hz and % max) versus power output (%max) for each subject at the three IEDs. In addition, separate one-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine mean differences between the three IEDs for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and MPF at power outputs of 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. The results of the polynomial regression revealed that the best fit model for each IED for the absolute and normalized EMG amplitude was linear for six of the 11 subjects and quadratic for five of the subjects. For EMG MPF, four of the 11 subjects exhibited significant relationships (linear or quadratic) across power outputs for at least one IED. The one-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant mean differences between the IEDs for absolute EMG amplitude and MPF at 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. There were no significant mean differences, however, between the IEDs for normalized EMG amplitude or MPF at 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. The results of the study indicated that there were no consistent patterns of responses between individual subjects for EMG amplitude or MPF versus power output relationships for IEDs of 20, 40, and 60 mm during incremental cycle ergometry. The current findings supported the process of normalization for EMG amplitude and MPF data obtained during cycle ergometry when comparisons are made for different IEDs.