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We measured changes in maximal voluntary and electrically evoked torque and rate of torque development because of limb unloading. We investigated whether these changes during single joint isometric muscle contractions were related to changes in jump performance involving dynamic muscle contractions and several joints. Six healthy male subjects (21 ± 1 years) underwent 3 weeks of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) of the right limb. Plantar flexor and knee extensor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque and maximal rate of torque development (MRTD), voluntary activation, and maximal triplet torque (thigh; 3 pulses at 300 Hz) were measured next to squat jump height before and after ULLS. MVC of plantar flexors and knee extensors (MVCke) and triplet torque decreased by 12% (P = 0.012), 21% (P = 0.001) and 11% (P = 0.016), respectively. Voluntary activation did not change (P = 0.192). Absolute MRTD during voluntary contractions decreased for plantar flexors (by 17%, P = 0.027) but not for knee extensors (P = 0.154). Absolute triplet MRTD decreased by 17% (P = 0.048). The reduction in MRTD disappeared following normalization to MVC. Jump height with the previously unloaded leg decreased significantly by 28%. No significant relationships were found between any muscle variable and jump height (r < 0.48), but decreases in torque were (triplet, r = 0.83, P = 0.04) or tended to be (MVCke r = 0.71, P = 0.11) related to decreases in jump height. Thus, reductions in isometric muscle torque following 3 weeks of limb unloading were significantly related to decreases in the more complex jump task, although torque in itself (without intervention) was not related to jump performance.

Aim: Knee extensor neuromuscular activity, rectified surface electromyography (rsEMG) and single motor unit EMG was investigated during isometric (60 degrees knee angle), shortening and lengthening contractions (50-70 degrees, 10 degrees s(-1)) corrected for force-velocity-related differences in force-generating capacity. However, during dynamic contractions additional factors such as shortening-induced force losses and lengthening-induced force gains may also affect force capacity and thereby neuromuscular activity. Therefore, even after correction for force-velocity-related differences in force capacity we expected neuromuscular activity to be higher and lower during shortening and lengthening, respectively, compared to isometric contractions., Methods: rsEMG of the three superficial muscle heads was obtained in a first session [10 and 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)] and additionally EMG of (46) vastus lateralis motor units was recorded during a second session (4-76% MVC). Using superimposed electrical stimulation, force-generating capacity for shortening and lengthening contractions was found to be 0.96 and 1.16 times isometric (Iso) force capacity respectively. Therefore, neuromuscular activity during submaximal shortening and lengthening was compared with isometric contractions of respectively 1.04Iso (=1/0.96) and 0.86Iso (=1/1.16). rsEMG and discharge rates were normalized to isometric values., Results: rsEMG behaviour was similar (P > 0.05) during both sessions. Shortening rsEMG (1.30 +/- 0.11) and discharge rate (1.22 +/- 0.13) were higher (P < 0.05) than 1.04Iso values (1.05 +/- 0.05 and 1.03 +/- 0.04 respectively), but lengthening rsEMG (1.05 +/- 0.12) and discharge rate (0.90 +/- 0.08) were not lower (P > 0.05) than 0.86Iso values (0.76 +/- 0.04 and 0.91 +/- 0.07 respectively)., Conclusion: When force-velocity-related differences in force capacity were taken into account, neuromuscular activity was not lower during lengthening but was still higher during shortening compared with isometric contractions.

The ability to voluntarily activate a muscle is commonly assessed by some variant of the twitch interpolation technique (ITT), which assumes that the stimulated force increment decreases linearly as voluntary force increases. In the present study, subjects (n = 7) with exceptional ability for maximal voluntary activation (VA) of the knee extensors were used to study the relationship between superimposed and voluntary torque. This includes very high contraction intensities (90-100%VA), which are difficult to consistently obtain in regular healthy subjects (VA of approximately 90%). Subjects were tested at 30, 60, and 90 degrees knee angles on two experimental days. At each angle, isometric knee extensions were performed with supramaximal superimposed nerve stimulation (triplet: three pulses at 300 Hz). Surface EMG signals were obtained from rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medialis muscles. Maximal VA was similar and very high across knee angles: 97 +/- 2.3% (mean +/- SD). At high contraction intensities, the increase in voluntary torque was far greater than would be expected based on the decrement of superimposed torque. When voluntary torque increased from 79.6 +/- 6.1 to 100%MVC, superimposed torque decreased from 8.5 +/- 2.6 to 2.8 +/- 2.3% of resting triplet. Therefore, an increase in VA of 5.7% (from 91.5 +/- 2.6 to 97 +/- 2.3%) coincided with a much larger increase in voluntary torque (20.4 +/- 6.1%MVC) and EMG (33.9 +/- 6.6%max). Moreover, a conventionally assessed VA of 91.5 +/- 2.6% represented a voluntary torque of only 79.6 +/- 6.1%MVC. In conclusion, when maximal VA is calculated to be approximately 90% (as in regular healthy subjects), this probably represents a considerable overestimation of the subjects' ability to maximally drive their quadriceps muscles.

Recently, fatigability and muscle oxygen consumption (mVO(2)) during sustained isometric contractions were found to be less at shorter (30 degrees knee angle; 0 degrees = full extension) compared to longer knee extensor muscle lengths (90 degrees ) and, at low torques, less in the rectus femoris (RF) muscle than in the vastus lateralis and medialis. In the present study we hypothesized that these findings could be accounted for by a knee angle- and a muscle-dependent activation respectively. On two experimental days rectified surface EMG (rsEMG) was obtained as a measure of muscle activation in nine healthy young males. In addition, on day 1 maximal torque capacity (MTC) was carefully determined using superimposed nerve stimulation on brief high intensity contractions (> 70%MVC) at 30, 60 and 90 degrees knee angles. On day 2, subjects performed longer lasting isometric contractions (10-70%MTC) while mVO(2) was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). At 30 degrees , maximal mVO(2) was reached significantly later (11.0 s +/- 6.5 s) and was 57.9 +/- 8.3% less (average +/- SD, across intensities and muscles) than mVO(2) at 60 and 90 degrees (p < 0.05). However, rsEMG was on average only 18.0 +/- 11.8% (p = 0.062) less at the start of the contraction at 30 degrees . At 10%MTC at all knee angles, maximal mVO(2) of the RF occurred significantly later (28.8 +/- 36.0 s) and showed a significantly smaller increase in rsEMG compared to both vasti. In conclusion, it is unlikely that the tendency for less intense muscle activation could fully account for the approximately 60% lower oxygen consumption at 30 degrees , but the later increase in RFmVO(2) seemed to be caused by a less strong activation of the RF.

Slow relaxation from an isometric contraction is characteristic of acutely fatigued muscle and is associated with a decrease in the maximum velocity of unloaded shortening (V(max)) and both these phenomena might be due to a decreased rate of cross bridge detachment. We have compared the change in relaxation rate with that of various parameters of the force-velocity relationship over the course of an ischaemic series of fatiguing contractions and subsequent recovery using the human adductor pollicis muscle working in vivo at approximately 37 degrees C in nine healthy young subjects. Maximal isometric force (F(0)) decreased from 91.0 +/- 1.9 to 58.3 +/- 3.5 N (mean +/- s.e.m.). Maximum power decreased from 53.6 +/- 4.0 to 17.7 +/- 1.2 (arbitrary units) while relaxation rate declined from -10.3 +/- 0.38 to -2.56 +/- 0.29 s(-1). V(max) showed a smaller relative change from 673 +/- 20 to 560 +/- 46 deg s(-1) and with a time course that differed markedly from that of slowing of relaxation, showing very little change until late in the series of contractions. Curvature of the force-velocity relationship increased (a/F(0) decreasing from 0.22 +/- 0.02 to 0.11 +/- 0.02) with fatigue and with a time course that was similar to that of the loss of power and the slowing of relaxation. It is concluded that for human muscle working at a normal physiological temperature the change in curvature of the force-velocity relationship with fatigue is a major cause of loss of power and may share a common underlying mechanism with the slowing of relaxation from an isometric contraction.

The aim of this study was to establish the extent of extramuscular myofascial force transmission for dissected rat medial gastrocnemius (GM) and plantaris (PL) muscles. Initially, this was done with GM still connected to extramuscular connective tissue (general fascia, neuro-vascular tract and compartmental fascia). Neighbouring muscles were also connected to these tissues. In a later stage, it was dissected progressively until finally a fully dissected in situ GM was obtained, for which the neuro-vascular tract (i.e. the nerves, blood vessels and the surrounding connective tissue) was the only extramuscular tissue left intact. Force of GM was measured not only at its distal tendon in progressive stages of dissection, but also at its dissected proximal tendon. In the stage where GM was still connected to extramuscular tissues, the experiments showed that up to 40.5+/-5.9% (mean +/- S.E.M.) of the force exerted by the neighbouring PL muscle was transmitted onto the calcaneal bone, even when the PL tendon was not connected to this bone. After distal PL-tenotomy, a difference between proximally and distally measured forces of GM constituted evidence for myofascial force transmission. In the fully dissected in situ GM muscle, no relevant myofascial force transmission occurred in the reference position (the position of the GM origin corresponding to a knee angle of 120 degrees). However, some myofascial force transmission occurred when the relative position of the origin of the fully dissected GM muscle was changed with respect to the neuro-vascular tract.

Low-frequency fatigue (LFF) and post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) were quantified at different muscle lengths in rat medial gastrocnemius (GM) muscle. In situ experiments were performed on GM muscle-tendon complexes of anaesthetised (urethane, 1.5 g kg(-1) i.p.) Wistar rats (N=8). Force-length characteristics were determined at maximal (200 Hz) and submaximal (60 Hz) stimulation. Data for submaximally stimulated muscle were obtained in a non-potentiated and in a potentiated condition. LFF was induced by a series of 40 eccentric contractions. Post-exercise (40-80 min), data for the force-length relationships were obtained once more. Whereas force loss at 200 Hz-stimulation was least at optimum muscle length, L(0,200 Hz), (17.0+/-1.4%, mean +/-S.E.M.), force loss at 60 Hz-stimulation was maximal near L(0,200 Hz) (55.1+/-4.3% at L(0,200 Hz)-1 mm). When the muscle was potentiated, force loss at 60 Hz-stimulation was maximal at short muscle length: L(0,200 Hz)-4 mm (53.5+/-3.8%). The extent of LFF, quantified by a decrease in the 60:200 Hz force ratio, varied with muscle length: LFF increased with decreasing muscle lengths when muscles were potentiated. However, in the non-potentiated condition, LFF was maximal at a length just below L(0,200 Hz); the 60:200 Hz force ratio had decreased to 54.6+/-5.9% of the pre-exercise ratio at L(0,200 Hz)-1 mm. Compared with the non-potentiated condition, LFF was less pronounced in the potentiated condition. PTP counteracted LFF particularly at long muscle lengths. However, at short muscle lengths, LFF was still observed in potentiated muscles.

Effects of fibre type composition and type of contraction on low-frequency fatigue (LFF) were investigated in isolated rat medial gastrocnemius (GM) muscle. Fast oxidative or fast glycolytic GM muscle parts of anaesthetised male Wistar rats (n=18) were activated selectively by maximal electrical stimulation of the nerve after selective cutting of sub-branches. LFF was induced by a series of 40 isometric, concentric or eccentric contractions. Post exercise (55 min), the force-frequency curves differed significantly from the pre-exercise curves. Decreased forces were exerted mainly at the lower frequencies. This effect was significantly greater for glycolytic than oxidative muscle parts and following eccentric compared to isometric and concentric exercise. Seventy minutes following eccentric exercise, the relative values of the 60:200 Hz force ratios for the oxidative compared to the glycolytic parts were 65.6+/-2.2% and 43.6+/-4.6% (mean+/-SE) of the pre-fatigue values (=100%), respectively. In conclusion, for conditions of identical activation, eccentric exercise led to significantly more LFF than isometric and concentric exercise. In addition, and independent of the exercise type, fast glycolytic muscle parts were more susceptible to LFF than fast oxidative muscle parts.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether 11 weeks of whole body vibration (WBV) training applied in a way that is commonly seen in practice, i.e. without additional loads, would improve muscle activation and/or contractile properties of the knee extensor muscles and counter movement jump height in healthy subjects. Ten subjects belonging to the experimental group trained three times a week and stood bare-foot with a 110 degrees knee angle on a vibration platform (30 Hz, 8 mm amplitude). They underwent five to eight sets of 1-min vibration with 1 min rest in between. Ten control subjects followed the same training programme but stood (110 degrees knee angle) beside the platform. Before, during and following the training period the subjects were tested. Values [mean (SEM)] obtained in the last test were expressed as percentages of the baseline value and presented for control and experimental groups. Quadriceps femoris isometric muscle force [105.4 (6.2)%, 99.9 (2.0)%; P=0.69], voluntary activation [107.1 (6.0)%, 101.1 (2.3)%; P=0.55] and maximal rate of voluntary force rise [95.4 (6.0)%, 103.3 (7.7)%; P=0.57] did not improve. The maximal rate of force rise during electrical stimulation was increased [102.3 (4.5)%, 123.6 (7.5)%; P=0.02]. Counter movement jump height was not affected by WBV [103.7 (1.8)%, 103.0 (2.8)%; P=0.71]. In conclusion, 11 weeks of standard two-legged WBV training without additional training loads did not improve functional knee extensor muscle strength in healthy young subjects.

The goals of this study were to investigate adductor pollicis muscle (n = 7) force depression after maximal electrically stimulated and voluntarily activated isovelocity (19 and 306 degrees /s) shortening contractions and the effects of fatigue. After shortening contractions, redeveloped isometric force was significantly (P < 0.05) depressed relative to isometric force obtained without preceding shortening. For voluntarily and electrically stimulated contractions, relative force deficits respectively were (means +/- SE) 25.0 +/- 3.5 and 26.6 +/- 1.9% (19 degrees /s), 7.8 +/- 2.2 and 11.5 +/- 0.6% (306 degrees /s), and 23.9 +/- 4.4 and 31.6 +/- 4.7% (19 degrees /s fatigued). The relative force deficit was significantly smaller after fast compared with slow shortening contractions, whereas activation manner and fatigue did not significantly affect the deficit. It was concluded that in unfatigued and fatigued muscle the velocity-dependent relative force deficit was similar with maximal voluntary activation and electrical stimulation. These findings have important implications for experimental studies of force-velocity relationships. Moreover, if not accounted for in muscle models, they will contribute to differences observed between the predicted and the actually measured performance during in vivo locomotion.

The influence of stimulation frequency on efficiency (= total work output/high-energy phosphate consumption) was studied using in situ medial gastrocnemius muscle tendon complexes of the rat. The muscles performed 20 repeated concentric contractions (2/s) at 34 degrees C. During these repeated contractions, the muscle was stimulated via the severed sciatic nerve with either 60, 90, or 150 Hz. The muscle was freeze-clamped immediately after these contractions, and high-energy phosphate consumption was determined by measuring intramuscular chemical change relative to control muscles. The average values (+/-SD) of efficiency calculated for 60, 90, and 150 Hz were 18.5 +/- 1.5 (n = 7), 18.6 +/- 1.5 (n = 9), and 14.7 +/- 1.3 mJ/micromol phosphate (n = 9). The results indicate that the efficiency of the muscles that were submaximally activated (60 or 90 Hz) was higher (+26%, P < 0.05) than that of those maximally activated (150 Hz). Additional experiments showed that the low efficiency at maximal activation levels is unlikely to be the result of a higher energy turnover by the Ca2+ -ATPase relative to the total energy turnover. Therefore, alternative explanations are discussed.

We investigated whether the capacity for repetitive submaximal muscle contraction was reduced in a group of subjects (n=8) with a primary deficiency of myoadenylate deaminase (MAD). Quadriceps femoris muscle fatigue was evaluated using voluntary and electrically stimulated contractions during 20 min of repetitive voluntary isometric contractions at 40% of maximal force-generating capacity (MFGC). After 5 min of exercise, MFGC had declined significantly to 70.6+/-4.1% (mean+/-S.E.M.) and 87.2+/-1.6% of baseline values in MAD-deficient and sedentary control subjects (n=8) respectively (P=0.002 between groups). After 5 min of exercise, the half-relaxation time had increased significantly to 113.4+/-6.1% of baseline in MAD-deficient muscle, but had decreased significantly to 94.1+/-1.3% in control subjects (P=0.003 between groups). All control subjects completed the 20-min exercise test. Five of the MAD-deficient subjects had to stop exercising due to early muscle fatigue; however, three of the MAD-deficient subjects were able to complete the 20-min exercise test. In conclusion, although the capacity for repetitive submaximal isometric muscle contractions for the group of MAD-deficient subjects was significantly decreased, it remains uncertain whether MAD deficiency is the sole cause of pronounced muscle fatigue.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of muscle temperature on the force/velocity relationship of electrically activated human adductor pollicis muscle. Following immersion of the lower arm for 20 min in water baths of four different temperatures, the calculated muscle temperatures were 37.1, 31.4, 25.6 and 22.2 degrees C. At 22.2 degrees C maximal isometric force was reduced to 79.3+/-2.9% of the force obtained at 37.1 degrees C. Q10 values for the maximal rates of force development and relaxation, and relaxation times, were about 2.0 between 37.1 and 25.6 degrees C and increased to about 3.5 below 25.6 degrees C. The Q10 values of the maximal shortening velocity and the velocity for maximal power production were similar to those of the isometric speed parameters. The Q10 for maximal power production increased from 2.0 above 31.4 degrees C to 6.9 between 25.6 and 22.2 degrees C. Following repetitive isometric contractions maximal power production was reduced to 60.0+/-1.7 and 90.5+/-1.0% at 37.1 and 22.2 degrees C respectively. Fatigue decreased with cooling of the muscle over the entire (37.1-22.2 degrees C) temperature range.

Objective. To investigate the feasibility and effects of additional preoperative high intensity strength training for patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Design. Clinical controlled trial. Patients. Twenty-two patients awaiting TKA. Methods. Patients were allocated to a standard training group or a group receiving standard training with additional progressive strength training for 6weeks. Isometric knee extensor strength, voluntary activation, chair stand, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and stair climbing were assessed before and after 6weeks of training and 6 and 12weeks after TKA. Results. For 3 of the 11 patients in the intensive strength group, training load had to be adjusted because of pain. For both groups combined, improvements in chair stand and 6MWT were observed before surgery, but intensive strength training was not more effective than standard training. Voluntary activation did not change before and after surgery, and postoperative recovery was not different between groups (p > 0.05). Knee extensor strength of the affected leg before surgery was significantly associated with 6-minute walk (r = 0.50) and the stair climb (r- = 0.58, p < 0.05). Conclusion. Intensive strength training was feasible for the majority of patients, but there were no indications that it is more effective than standard training to increase preoperative physical performance. This trial was registered with NTR2278. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single motor unit electromyographic (EMG) activity of the knee extensors was investigated at different knee angles with subjects (n = 10) exerting the same absolute submaximal isometric torque at each angle. Measurements were made over a 20° range around the optimum angle for torque production (AngleTmax) and, where feasible, over a wider range (50°). Forty-six vastüs lateralis (VL) motor units were recorded at 20.7 ± 17.9 %maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) together with the rectified surface EMG (rsEMG) of the superficial VL muscle. Due to the lower maximal torque capacity at positions more flexed and extended than AngleTmax, single motor unit recruitment thresholds were expected to decrease and discharge rates were expected to increase at angles above and below AngleTmax. Unexpectedly, the recruitment threshold was higher (P < 0.05) at knee angles 10° more extended (43.7 ± 22.2 N·m) and not different (P > 0.05) at knee angles 10° more flexed (35.2 ± 17.9 N·m) compared with recruitment threshold at AngleTmax (41.8 ± 21.4 N·m). Also, unexpectedly the discharge rates were similar (P > 0.05) at the three angles: 11.6 ± 2.2, 11.6 ± 2.1, and 12.3 ± 2.1 Hz. Similar angle independent discharge rates were also found for 12 units (n = 5; 7.4 ± 5.4 %MVC) studied over the wider (5 0°) range, while recruitment threshold only decreased at more flexed angles. In conclusion, the similar recruitment threshold and discharge behavior of VL motor units during submaximal isometric torque production suggests that net motor unit activation did not change very much along the ascending limb of the knee-angle torque relationship. Several factors such as length-dependent twitch potentiation, which may contribute to this unexpected aspect of motor control, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We investigated the relative contribution of the vastus medialis (VM) muscle to total isometric knee extension torque at 10°, 30°, 60° and 90° knee flexion. In the past a more prominent role of the VM muscle at more extended knee angles has been put forward. However, different components of the quadriceps muscle converge via a common distal tendon. We therefore hypothesized that the relative contribution of the VM to total knee extension torque would be similar across angles. Methods: At each knee angle the EMG isometric torque relations [20%, 25%, 30%, 35% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)] of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and VM muscle were established in 10 healthy male subjects; rectified surface EMG was normalized to M-wave area. Subsequently, the VM was functionally eliminated by selective electrical surface stimulation with occluded blood flow. Results: There was no evidence for preferential activation of VM at any of the knee angles. Following VM elimination, total knee extension torque during maximal femoral nerve stimulation (three pulses at 300Hz) at 10°, 30°, 60° and 90°, respectively, decreased ( P < 0.05) to (mean ± SD): 75.7 ± 12.2, 75.1 ± 9.3, 78.2 ± 7.2 and 76.0 ± 5.8% ( P > 0.05 among knee angles). In addition, during voluntary contractions at 20% MVC the increases in torque output of RF and VL compensating for the loss of VM function were calculated from the increases in EMG and found to be similar ( P > 0.05) at 10°, 30°, 60° and 90° values (%MVC), respectively, were: 9.1 ± 6.8, 7.5 ± 2.9, 5.9 ± 3.7 and 6.9 ± 3.4. Conclusion: The present findings support our hypothesis that the VM contributes similarly to total knee extension torque at different knee angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research on jump height and isometric knee-extensor development in volleyball players is presented. The objective of the research was to determine the function of knee extensors to the maximal rate of isometric torque development. The study involved eleven male volleyball players performing squat jumps from a 120° to full 180° extension and countermove jumps. Measurements of muscle activation were carried using surface EMG. Results show the correlation of initial maximal voluntary isometric torque development with muscle activation and not with muscle contractile speed.

Fatigue resistance of knee extensor muscles is higher during voluntary isometric contractions at short compared with longer muscle lengths. In the present study we hypothesized that this would be due to lower energy consumption at short muscle lengths. Ten healthy male subjects performed isometric contractions with the knee extensor muscles at a 30, 60, and 90° knee angle (full extension = 0°). At each angle, muscle oxygen consumption (mVo2) of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis muscle was obtained with near-infrared spectroscopy, mVo2 was measured during maximal isometric contractions and during contractions at 10, 30, and 50% of maximal torque capacity. During all contractions, blood flow to the muscle was occluded with a pressure cuff (450 mmHg), mVo2 significantly (P < 0.05) increased with torque and at all torque levels, and for each of the three muscles mVo2 was significantly lower at 30° compared with 60° and 90° and mVo2 was similar (P > 0.05) at 60° and 90°. Across all torque levels, average (± SD) mVo2 at the 30° angle for vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis, respectively, was 70.0 ± 10.4, 72.2 ± 12.7, and 75.9 ± 8.0% of the average mVo2 obtained for each torque at 60 and 90°. In conclusion, oxygen consumption of the knee extensors was significantly lower during isometric contractions at the 30° than at the 60° and 90° knee angle, which probably contributes to the previously reported longer duration of sustained isometric contractions at relatively short muscle lengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the role of central activation in muscle length-dependent endurance. Central activation ratio (CAR) and rectified surface electromyogram (EMG) were studied during fatigue of isometric contractions of the knee extensors at 30 and 90° knee angles (full extension = 0°). Subjects (n = 8) were tested on a custom-built ergometer. Maximal voluntary isometric knee extension with supramaximal superimposed burst stimulation (three 100-μs pulses; 300 Hz) was performed to assess CAR and maximal torque capacity (MTC). Surface EMG signals were obtained from vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles. At each angle, intermittent (15 s on 6 s off) isometric exercise at 50% MTC with superimposed stimulation was performed to exhaustion. During the fatigue task, a sphygmomanometer cuff around the upper thigh ensured full occlusion (400 mmHg) of the blood supply to the knee extensors. At least 2 days separated fatigue tests. MTC was not different between knee angles (30°: 229.6 ± 39.3 N·m vs. 90°: 215.7 ± 13.2 N·m). Endurance times, however, were significantly longer (P < 0.05) at 30 vs. 90° (87.8 ± 18.7 vs. 54.9 ± 12.1 s, respectively) despite the CAR not differing between angles at torque failure (30°: 0.95 ± 0.05 vs. 90°: 0.96 ± 0.03) and full occlusion of blood supply to the knee extensors. Furthermore, rectified surface EMG values of the vastus lateralis (normalized to prefatigue maximum) were also similar at torque failure (30°: 56.5 ± 12.5% vs. 90°: 58.3 ± 15.2%), whereas rectus femoris EMG activity was lower at 30° (44.3 ± 12.4%) vs. 90° (69.5 ± 25.3%). We conclude that differences in endurance at different knee angles do not find their origin in differences in central activation and blood flow but may be a consequence of muscle length-related differences in metabolic cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the capacity for torque development and muscle activation at the onset of fast voluntary isometric knee extensions at 30, 60, and 90° knee angle. Experiments were performed in subjects (n = 7) who had high levels (>90%) of activation at the plateau of maximal voluntary contractions. During maximal electrical nerve stimulation (8 pulses at 300 Hz), the maximal rate of torque development (MRTD) and torque time integral over the first 40 ms (TTI40) changed in proportion with torque at the different knee angles (highest values at 60°). At each knee angle, voluntary MRTD and stimulated MRTD were similar (P < 0.05), but time to voluntary MRTD was significantly longer. Voluntary TTI40 was independent (P > 0.05) of knee angle and on average (all subjects and angles) only 40% of stimulated TTI40. However, among subjects, the averaged (across knee angles) values ranged from 10.3 ± 3.1 to 83.3 ± 3.2% and were positively related (r² = 0.75, P < 0.05) to the knee-extensor surface EMG at the start of torque development. It was concluded that, although all subjects had high levels of voluntary activation at the plateau of maximal voluntary contraction, among subjects and independent of knee angle, the capacity for fast muscle activation varied substantially. Moreover, in all subjects, torque developed considerably faster during maximal electrical stimulation than during maximal voluntary effort. At different knee angles, stimulated MRTD and TTI40 changed in proportion with stimulated torque, but voluntary MRTD and TTI40 changed less than maximal voluntary torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article asserts that interpolated twitch technique (ITT) method does not provide a valid estimation of the voluntary activation of muscle. It contends that ITT method has low sensitivity near the maximal contraction intensities. Moreover, it cites that the findings are gathered under isometric conditions and is not specifically based on voluntary activation. It notes the poor ability to generalize muscle activation under the isometric condition.