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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.)

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.

Objective: To examine muscle-specific differences and the effects of fatigue and recovery on electromechanical delay (EMD) during maximal isokinetic muscle actions., Approach: Thirteen men performed maximal isokinetic knee extension muscle actions at 60° s -1 , pretest, posttest, and after 5 min of recovery from 25 maximal isokinetic knee extensions. The onsets of the electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals were used to identify EMD measures from the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF)., Main Results: There were posttest increases in all EMD measures for all muscles that returned to pretest levels after 5 min of recovery. There were, however, no differences in EMD measures between the VL and VM. All EMD values from the RF were greater than the VL and VM., Significance: These findings suggested muscle-specific differences in EMD and that excitation-contraction coupling failure and increased compliance of the series elastic component occurred posttest, but subsided after 5 min of recovery.

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.

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 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 review is to examine the literature that has investigated the potential relationship between mechanomyographic (MMG) frequency and motor unit firing rates. Several different experimental designs/methodologies have been used to address this issue, including: repetitive electrical stimulation, voluntary muscle actions in muscles with different fiber type compositions, fatiguing and non-fatiguing isometric or dynamic muscle actions, and voluntary muscle actions in young versus elderly subjects and healthy individuals versus subjects with a neuromuscular disease(s). Generally speaking, the results from these investigations have suggested that MMG frequency is related to the rate of motor unit activation and the contractile properties (contraction and relaxation times) of the muscle fibers. Other studies, however, have reported that MMG mean power frequency (MPF) does not always follow the expected pattern of firing rate modulation (e.g. motor unit firing rates generally increase with torque during isometric muscle actions, but MMG MPF may remain stable or even decrease). In addition, there are several factors that may affect the frequency content of the MMG signal during a voluntary muscle action (i.e. muscle stiffness, intramuscular fluid pressure, etc.), independent of changes in motor unit firing rates. Despite the potential influences of these factors, most of the evidence has suggested that the frequency domain of the MMG signal contains some information regarding motor unit firing rates. It is likely, however, that this information is qualitative, rather than quantitative in nature, and reflects the global motor unit firing rate, rather than the firing rates of a particular group of motor units.

The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) instantaneous amplitude (IA) and instantaneous mean power frequency (IMPF) patterns for the biceps brachii muscle across a range of motion during maximal and submaximal concentric isokinetic muscle actions of the forearm flexors. Ten adults (mean +/- SD age = 22.0 +/- 3.4 years) performed a maximal and a submaximal [20% peak torque (PT)] concentric isokinetic forearm flexion muscle action at a velocity of 30 degrees s(-1). The surface EMG signal was detected from the biceps brachii muscle with a bipolar electrode arrangement, and the EMG IA and IMPF versus time relationships were examined for each subject using first- and second-order polynomial regression models. The results indicated that there were no consistent patterns between subjects for EMG IA or IMPF with increases in torque across the range of motion. Some of the potential nonphysiological factors that could influence the amplitude and/or frequency contents of the surface EMG signal during a dynamic muscle action include movement of the muscle fibers and innervation zone beneath the skin surface, as well as changes in muscle fiber length and the thickness of the tissue layer between the muscle and the recording electrodes. These factors may affect the EMG IA and IMPF patterns differently for each subject, thereby increasing the difficulty of drawing any general conclusions regarding the motor control strategies that increase torque across a range of motion.

The purpose of this study was to compare a piezoelectric contact sensor with an accelerometer for measuring the mechanomyographic (MMG) signal from the biceps brachii during submaximal to maximal isokinetic and isometric forearm flexion muscle actions. Following determination of isokinetic peak torque (PT) and the isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), 10 adults (mean+/-SD age=22.8+/-2.7yrs) performed randomly ordered, submaximal step muscle actions of the dominant forearm flexors in 20% increments from 20% to 80% PT and MVC. Surface MMG signals were recorded simultaneously from a contact sensor and an accelerometer placed over the belly of the biceps brachii muscle. During the isokinetic and isometric muscle actions, the contact sensor and accelerometer resulted in linear increases in normalized MMG amplitude with torque (r(2) range=0.84-0.97) but the linear slope of the normalized MMG amplitude versus isokinetic torque relationship for the accelerometer was less (p<0.10) than that of the contact sensor. There was no significant (p>0.05) relationship for normalized MMG mean power frequency (MPF, %max) versus isokinetic and isometric torque for the contact sensor, but the accelerometer demonstrated a quadratic (R(2)=0.94) or linear (r(2)=0.83) relationship for the isokinetic and isometric muscle actions, respectively. There were also a number of significant (p<0.05) mean differences between the contact sensor and accelerometer for normalized MMG amplitude or MPF values. These findings indicated that in some cases involving dynamic and isometric muscle actions, the contact sensor and accelerometer resulted in different torque-related responses that may affect the interpretation of the motor control strategies involved.

Little is known regarding the modulation of torque during eccentric muscle actions. Mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) signals have been used to examine motor control strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the MMG and EMG amplitude and frequency in relation to torque during eccentric muscle contractions. Eight women performed eccentric leg extension muscle contractions at 10-100% of peak torque (PT). A piezoelectric crystal contact sensor and bipolar surface electrodes were placed on the vastus medialis to detect the MMG and EMG signals. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that EMG amplitude (r(2)=0.994) and MMG wavelet center frequency (CF) (r(2)=0.846) increased linearly to 100% eccentric PT, whereas there were no significant relationships for EMG wavelet CF or MMG amplitude and eccentric torque. These results suggested that eccentric torque is primarily modulated through changes in motor unit firing rate.

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of static stretching on peak torque (PT) and the joint angle at PT during maximal, voluntary, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the leg extensors at 60 and 180 degrees x s(-1) for the stretched and unstretched limbs in women. Thirteen women (mean age +/- SD = 20.8 +/- 0.8 yr; weight +/- SD = 63.3 +/- 9.5 kg; height +/- SD = 165.9 +/- 7.9 cm) volunteered to perform separate maximal, voluntary, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the leg extensors with the dominant and nondominant limbs on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer at 60 and 180 degrees x s(-1). PT (Nm) and the joint angle at PT (degrees) were recorded by the dynamometer software. Following the initial isokinetic assessments, the dominant leg extensors were stretched (mean stretching time +/- SD = 21.2 +/- 2.0 minutes) using 1 unassisted and 3 assisted static stretching exercises. After the stretching (4.3 +/- 1.4 minutes), the isokinetic assessments were repeated. The statistical analyses indicated no changes (p > 0.05) from pre- to poststretching for PT or the joint angle at PT. These results indicated that static stretching did not affect PT or the joint angle at PT of the leg extensors during maximal, voluntary, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions at 60 and 180 degrees x s(-1) in the stretched or unstretched limbs in women. In conjunction with previous studies, these findings suggested that static stretching may affect torque production during concentric, but not eccentric, muscle actions.

The purpose of this review is to examine the literature that has investigated mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude and frequency responses during dynamic muscle actions. To date, the majority of MMG research has focused on isometric muscle actions. Recent studies, however, have examined the MMG time and/or frequency domain responses during various types of dynamic activities, including dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) and isokinetic muscle actions, as well as cycle ergometry. Despite the potential influences of factors such as changes in muscle length and the thickness of the tissue between the muscle and the MMG sensor, there is convincing evidence that during dynamic muscle actions, the MMG signal provides valid information regarding muscle function. This argument is supported by consistencies in the MMG literature, such as the close relationship between MMG amplitude and power output and a linear increase in MMG amplitude with concentric torque production. There are still many issues, however, that have yet to be resolved, and the literature base for MMG during both dynamic and isometric muscle actions is far from complete. Thus, it is important to investigate the unique applications of MMG amplitude and frequency responses with different experimental designs/methodologies to continually reassess the uses/limitations of MMG.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of interelectrode distance (IED) on the absolute and normalized electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus isokinetic and isometric torque relationships for the biceps brachii muscle. Ten adults [mean+/-SD age=22.0+/-3.4 years] performed submaximal to maximal, isokinetic and isometric muscle actions of the dominant forearm flexors. Following determination of isokinetic peak torque (PT) and the isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the subjects performed randomly ordered, submaximal step muscle actions in 10% increments from 10% to 90% PT and MVC. Surface EMG signals were recorded simultaneously from bipolar electrode arrangements placed over the biceps brachii muscle with IEDs of 20, 40, and 60mm. Absolute and normalized EMG amplitude (muVrms and %max) increased linearly with torque during the isokinetic and isometric muscle actions (r(2) range=0.988-0.998), but there were no significant changes for absolute or normalized EMG MPF (Hz or %max) from 10% to 100% PT and MVC. In some cases, there were significant (p<0.05) differences among the three IED arrangements for absolute EMG amplitude and MPF values, but not for the normalized values. These findings suggested that for the biceps brachii muscle, IEDs between 20 and 60mm resulted in similar patterns for the EMG amplitude or MPF versus dynamic and isometric torque relationships. Furthermore, unlike the absolute EMG amplitude and MPF values, the normalized EMG data were not influenced by changes in IED between 20 and 60mm. Thus, normalized EMG data can be compared among previous studies that have utilized different IED arrangements.

The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns for the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) vs. torque relationships during submaximal to maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle actions. Seven men (mean +/- SD age, 22.4 +/- 1.3 years) volunteered to perform isometric and concentric isokinetic leg extension muscle actions at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and peak torque (PT) on a Cybex II dynamometer. A piezoelectric MMG recording sensor was placed between bipolar surface EMG electrodes on the vastus medialis. Polynomial regression and separate 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the EMG amplitude, MMG amplitude, EMG MPF, and MMG MPF data for the isometric and isokinetic muscle actions. For the isometric muscle actions, EMG amplitude (R(2) = 0.999) and MMG MPF (R(2) = 0.946) increased to MVC, mean MMG amplitude increased to 60% MVC and then plateaued, and mean EMG MPF did not change (p > 0.05) across torque levels. For the isokinetic muscle actions, EMG amplitude (R(2) = 0.988) and MMG amplitude (R(2) = 0.933) increased to PT, but there were no significant mean changes with torque for EMG MPF or MMG MPF. The different torque-related responses for EMG and MMG amplitude and MPF may reflect differences in the motor control strategies that modulate torque production for isometric vs. dynamic muscle actions. These results support the findings of others and suggest that isometric torque production was modulated by a combination of recruitment and firing rate, whereas dynamic torque production was modulated primarily through recruitment.

The primary purpose of the present study was to compare the fast Fourier transform (FFT) with the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for determining the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) center frequency [mean power frequency (mpf), median frequency (mdf), or wavelet center frequency (cf)] patterns during fatiguing isokinetic muscle actions of the biceps brachii. Seven men (mean+/-SD age=23+/-3 years) volunteered to perform 50 consecutive maximal, concentric isokinetic muscle actions of the dominant forearm flexors at a velocity of 180 degrees s(-1). Non-parametric "run" tests indicated significant (p<0.05) trends in the MMG and EMG signals for the 5th, 25th, and 45th muscle actions for all subjects, thereby confirming non-stationarity of the MMG and EMG signals. There were significant (p<0.05) correlations among the average normalized mpf, mdf, and cf values for contractions 1-50 for both MMG (r=0.671-0.935) and EMG (r=0.956-0.987). Polynomial regression analyses demonstrated quadratic decreases in normalized MMG mpf (R2=0.439), MMG mdf (R2=0.258), MMG cf (R2=0.359), EMG mpf (R2=0.952), EMG mdf (R2=0.914) and EMG cf (R2=0.888) across repetitions. The primary finding of this study was the similarity in the mpf, mdf, and cf patterns for both MMG and EMG, which suggested that, despite the concerns over non-stationarity, Fourier based methods are acceptable for determining the patterns for normalized MMG and EMG center frequency during fatiguing dynamic muscle actions at moderate velocities.

Purpose: The mechanomyographic (MMG) signal may be used to examine the motor control strategies used to modulate torque during various types of muscle actions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the MMG amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus torque relationships during isometric and eccentric isokinetic muscle actions., Methods: Eleven adults (mean age +/- SD = 20.8 +/- 1.4 yr) volunteered to perform isometric and eccentric isokinetic leg extension muscle actions at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100% of peak torque on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer. A piezoelectric crystal contact sensor was placed on the vastus medialis to detect the MMG signal., Results: Polynomial regression analyses indicated that for the isometric muscle actions, the relationships for MMG amplitude (r2 = 0.984) and MPF (r2 = 0.989) versus torque were linear. For the eccentric isokinetic muscle actions, the relationships for MMG amplitude (r2 = 0.580) and MPF (r2 = 0.961) versus torque were also linear., Conclusion: The patterns for MMG amplitude and MPF may reflect the motor control strategies that modulate torque production for isometric and eccentric isokinetic muscle actions. Based on the results of this and previous studies, it appears that for the vastus medialis, torque is modulated in a similar manner for isometric, concentric, and eccentric isokinetic muscle actions. Specifically, these findings suggest that gradation of torque involves increases in recruitment and firing rate to 100% voluntary torque production.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus torque (or force) relationships during isokinetic and isometric muscle actions of the biceps brachii. Ten adults (mean +/- SD age = 21.6 +/- 1.7 years) performed submaximal to maximal isokinetic and isometric muscle actions of the dominant forearm flexors. Following determination of isokinetic peak torque (PT) and the isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the subjects randomly performed submaximal step muscle actions in 10% increments from 10% to 90% PT and MVC. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that MMG amplitude increased linearly with torque during both the isokinetic (r2 = 0.982) and isometric (r2 = 0.956) muscle actions. From 80% to 100% of isometric MVC, however, MMG amplitude appeared to plateau. Cubic models provided the best fit for the MMG MPF versus isokinetic (R2 = 0.786) and isometric (R2 = 0.940) torque relationships, although no significant increase in MMG MPF was found from 10% to 100% of isokinetic PT. For the isometric muscle actions, however, MMG MPF remained relatively stable from 10% to 50% MVC, increased from 50% to 80% MVC, and decreased from 80% to 100% MVC. The results demonstrated differences in the MMG amplitude and MPF versus torque relationships between the isokinetic and isometric muscle actions. These findings suggested that the time and frequency domains of the MMG signal may be useful for describing the unique motor control strategies that modulate dynamic versus isometric torque production.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus torque relationships during isokinetic muscle actions of the biceps brachii. Twelve adults [mean (SD) age, 22.2 (2.7) years] performed submaximal to maximal isokinetic muscle actions of the dominant forearm flexors. Following determination of isokinetic peak torque (PT), the subjects randomly performed submaximal muscle actions in 20% increments from 20% to 80% PT. Polynomial regression analyses indicated linear increases in both MMG (r2=0.984) and EMG (r2=0.988) amplitude to 100% PT. There were no significant (P>0.05) relationships, however, for MMG and EMG MPF versus isokinetic torque. The results demonstrated similar responses for MMG and EMG in both the time and frequency domains. These findings suggested that simultaneous examination of MMG and EMG amplitude and MPF may be useful for describing the unique motor control strategies that modulate dynamic torque production. Furthermore, the results indicated that dynamic muscle actions can be used when applying techniques that require a linear EMG amplitude versus torque relationship.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude responses of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) during 25 maximal, eccentric, isokinetic muscle actions., Methods: Seven healthy adult females (22.1 +/- 2.4 yr) completed 25 maximal, eccentric muscle actions on a calibrated Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer. EMG and MMG signals were obtained from the VL, RF, and VM during this test, and polynomial regression models were used to examine the relationships for normalized torque, EMG amplitude, and MMG amplitude versus repetition number., Results: There was a cubic relationship (P < 0.05) between torque and repetition number. EMG amplitude demonstrated a positive linear relationship (P < 0.05) for the VL, a quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) for the RF, and no relationship (P > 0.05) for the VM over the 25 repetitions. MMG amplitude demonstrated a negative linear relationship (P < 0.05) for both the VL and VM, and a cubic relationship (P < 0.05) for the RF over the 25 repetitions., Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated differences between the VL, RF, and VM muscles for the patterns of EMG and MMG responses across the 25 maximal, eccentric muscle actions. These findings suggested that there are muscle-specific motor control strategies during repeated eccentric, isokinetic muscle actions.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the cross-correlation coefficients of mechanomyographic (MMG) signals recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles during maximal, concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle actions. Eleven females (mean +/- SD age = 21 +/- 1 yr) performed such muscle actions of the leg extensors at 60 degrees.s-1 on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer. MMG signals were sampled simultaneously from the VL, RF, and VM at 1000 Hz by piezoelectric crystal contact sensors. Peak composite cross-correlation coefficients (rxy) and common variances (rxy2) were determined for each between-muscle comparison (VL vs. RF, VL vs. VM, and RF vs. VM). The results indicated peak cross-correlation coefficients ranging from rxy = 0.38 to 0.52, while common variances (rxy2) between signals ranged from 14% to 27% across all time lags (tau = -50...). In conjunction with other studies, these results suggested that despite the potential for some cross-talk, MMG measurements can be used to examine differences between the patterns of MMG amplitude and frequency responses of the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles.

The purpose of this study was to determine mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) responses of the superficial quadriceps muscles during repeated isokinetic contractions in order to provide information about motor control strategies during such activity, and to assess uniformity in mechanical activity (MMG) between the investigated muscles. Ten adults performed 50 maximal concentric muscle contractions at three randomly selected contraction velocities (60, 180, and 300 degrees.s(-1)) on different days. Surface electrodes and an MMG sensor were placed on the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM). EMG and MMG amplitude and peak torque (PT) were calculated for each contraction, normalized, and averaged across all subjects. The results demonstrated that MMG amplitude more closely tracked the fatigue-induced decline in torque production at each velocity than did EMG amplitude. This indicates that MMG amplitude may be useful for estimating force production during fatiguing dynamic contractions when a direct measure is not available, such as during certain rehabilitative exercises. MMG amplitude responses of the VL, RF, and VM were not uniform for each velocity or across velocities, indicating that it may be possible to detect the individual contribution of each muscle to force production during repeated dynamic contractions. Therefore, MMG amplitude may be clinically useful for detecting abnormal force contributions of individual muscles during dynamic contractions, and determining whether various treatments are successful at correcting such abnormalities., (Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the velocity-related patterns of peak torque (PT), mean power output (MP), mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude, and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle in men and women during maximal, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the leg extensors. Eight women [mean (SD)] [aged 23 (3) years] and seven men [aged 23 (2) years] volunteered for this investigation. Their PT was measured on a calibrated dynamometer at randomly ordered velocities of 30, 90, and 150 degrees x s(-1). A piezoelectric MMG recording sensor was placed between bipolar surface EMG electrodes (Ag-AgCl) over the VL muscle. Their MP was determined using the dynamometer software. The results indicated no sex-related differences (P > 0.05) for the patterns of PT, MP, MMG amplitude, or EMG amplitude across velocity. The normalized values for MP and MMG amplitude increased (P<0.05) from 30 to 150 degrees x s(-1) (30 degrees x s(-1) <90 degrees x s(-1) < 150 degrees x s(-1)), while PT and EMG amplitudes remained unchanged across velocity. The results indicated close associations between the velocity-related patterns of MP and MMG amplitudes as well as PT and EMG amplitudes. Thus, MMG amplitude reflected the velocity-related changes in muscle power output, but not torque production, while EMG amplitude reflected torque production, but not muscle power output. During maximal, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions, EMG and MMG signals provided unique information regarding the electrical and mechanical aspects of muscle strength and power.

Purpose: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) responses to continuous, constant power output cycle ergometer workbouts., Methods: Eight adult male volunteers (mean age +/- SD = 22 +/- 2 yrs) performed three continuous, one-hour workbouts at 28, 35, and 42% of peak power (Ppeak)., Results: The slope coefficients for the mean normalized MMG amplitude versus time relationships were significantly (p < 0.05) less than zero, while the slope coefficients for the mean normalized EMG amplitude versus time relationships were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than zero., Conclusion: The results indicated dissociation between the patterns of the mechanical (MMG) and electrical (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis during continuous cycle ergometry at low power outputs. The increases in EMG amplitude were likely due to the recruitment of additional motor units. The decreases in MMG amplitude across time may have been due to the phenomenon known as "muscular wisdom" and/or decreases in muscular compliance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the velocity-related patterns for mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude, electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, mean power output (MP), and peak torque (PT) of the superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris (vastus lateralis [VL], rectus femoris [RF], and vastus medialis [VM]) during maximal, concentric, isokinetic leg extensions. Twelve adult women (mean +/- SD: 22 +/- 3 years of age) performed such leg extensions at velocities of 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 180 degrees, 240 degrees, and 300 degrees /s on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer. PT decreased (P < 0.05) across velocity to 240 degrees /s. MP and MMG amplitude for each muscle (VL, RF, and VM) increased (P < 0.05) with velocity to 240 degrees /s and then plateaued. EMG amplitude increased (P < 0.05) to 240&deg/s for the VL, remained unchanged across velocity (P > 0.05) for the RF, and increased (P < 0.05) to 300 degrees /s for the VM. The results indicated close similarities between the velocity-related patterns for MMG amplitude and MP, but dissociations among EMG amplitude, MMG amplitude, and PT. These findings support the recent hypothesis that MMG amplitude is more closely related to MP than PT during maximal, concentric, isokinetic muscle actions and, therefore, may be useful for monitoring training-induced changes in muscle power., (Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) responses during continuous, cycle ergometer workbouts performed at constant power outputs. Eight adults [mean (SD) age, 21.5 (1.6) years] volunteered to perform an incremental test to exhaustion for the determination of peak power (Wpeak) and four, 15-min (or to exhaustion) rides at constant power outputs of 50%, 65%, 80%, and 95% Wpeak. Piezoelectric crystal contact sensors were placed on the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles to record the MMG signals. Bipolar surface electrode arrangements were placed on the VL and VM to record the EMG signals. Five-second samples of the MMG and EMG signals were recorded every 30 s at power outputs of 50%, 65%, and 80% Wpeak, and every 15 s at 95% Wpeak. The amplitudes of the selected portions of the signals were normalized to the first values recorded during the continuous rides, and regression analyses were used to determine whether the slope coefficients for the MMG and EMG versus time relationships were significantly (P < 0.05) different from zero. The results indicate that EMG amplitude increased (range of slope coefficients: 0.03-0.56) during the continuous rides for both muscles at all four power outputs (except the VM at 50% Wpeak), while MMG amplitude increased (slope coefficient at 95% Wpeak for VM = 0.19), decreased (range of slope coefficients for VL and VM at 50% and 65% Wpeak = -0.14 to -0.24), or remained unchanged (range of slope coefficients for VL and VM at 80% Wpeak and VL at 95% peak = -0.06 to 0.12) depending on the power output. The patterns of the MMG responses, however, were similar for the VL and VM muscles, except at 95% Wpeak. Fatigue-induced changes in motor-unit recruitment and discharge rates, or muscular compliance may explain the differences between power outputs in the patterns of the MMG amplitude responses.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of leg angular velocity on the mean power frequency (MPF) and amplitude of the mechanomyographic (MMG) signal during maximal concentric (CON) isokinetic muscle actions. Sixteen adult subjects performed maximal CON leg extensions on a calibrated Cybex 6000 dynamometer at leg angular velocities of 60 and 300 degrees.s-1. MMG was detected by a piezoelectric crystal contact sensor placed over the mid-portion of the vastus lateralis muscle. The results indicated a significant (p < 0.05) velocity-related decrease in peak torque (PT) and increase in MMG amplitude from 60 to 300 degrees.s-1. There was, however, no velocity-related change (p > 0.05) in MMG MPF. These findings did not support our hypothesis that increases across velocity in MMG amplitude were due to decreases in muscle stiffness as a result of a shift in the contribution of slow and fast-twitch muscle fibers to PT production. Future research should examine the potential influence of actin-myosin cycling rate as well as limb movement on the MPF and amplitude of the MMG signal.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a gender difference in the velocity-related patterns of mechanomyographic (MMG) responses to maximal isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) muscle actions., Methods: Adult males (N = 15) and females (N = 16) performed maximal CON and ECC muscle actions of the leg extensors on a calibrated Cybex 6000 dynamometer at velocities of 30, 90, and 150 degrees.s-1. MMG was detected by a piezoelectric crystal contact sensor placed over the vastus lateralis muscle., Results: The results indicated that there were decreases in CON peak torque (PT) across velocities, while ECC PT remained constant with increasing velocity for both genders. MMG amplitude increased significantly (P < 0.05) with velocity in both the males and females for CON and ECC muscle actions. There was a gender difference in the velocity-related patterns of MMG responses to maximal isokinetic CON muscle actions; however, there was no gender difference in the pattern of ECC MMG responses., Conclusions: The gender difference in CON MMG responses may be attributed to the greater percent decline in CON PT across velocity for the females than the males. In addition, the males displayed greater CON and ECC MMG amplitudes at all muscle action velocities than the females, possibly because of gender differences in muscle mass and/or thickness of the adipose tissue layer.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of forearm angular velocity on the mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) responses to eccentric and concentric isokinetic muscle actions. Ten adult male volunteers (mean+/-SD age=23+/-2 years) performed maximal eccentric and concentric muscle actions of the forearm flexors at 30 degrees, 90 degrees, and 150 degrees s(-1). There was no significant (P> 0.05) velocity-related change in peak torque (PT) for the eccentric muscle actions, but there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in PT for the concentric muscle actions. For the eccentric and concentric muscle actions, there was a significant (P< 0.05) velocity-related increase in MMG amplitude. There was no significant (P < 0.05) change in EMG amplitude across velocity for the eccentric or concentric muscle actions. The results indicated velocity-related dissociations among the PT, MMG, and EMG responses to maximal eccentric and concentric isokinetic muscle actions.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the mechanomyographic (MMG) responses to maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions. Eight adult male volunteers [age 22 +/- 2 (SD) yr] performed maximal eccentric muscle actions of the leg extensors at 60, 90, 120, and 180 degrees /s on a Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer. MMG was detected by a piezoelectric crystal contact sensor placed over the vastus lateralis muscle. Test-retest intraclass correlations ranged from R = 0.88 to 0.97 for peak torque and from R = 0.97 to 0.98 for root mean square MMG amplitude values. There was no significant (P > 0.05) velocity-related change in eccentric peak torque; however, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in MMG between 60 [119 +/- 44 (SE) mV] and 180 degrees/s (302 +/- 128 mV). These findings indicated a velocity-related dissociation between MMG and peak torque for maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of velocity of contraction on the mechanomyographic (MMG) responses to maximal concentric isokinetic leg extension movements. Eight adult males [mean (SD) age, 22.3 (1.3) years] performed maximal leg extensions on a calibrated Cybex 6000 dynamometer at velocities of 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 degrees x s(-1) x MMG responses were detected by a piezoelectric recording device placed over the vastus lateralis muscle. Intraclass reliability correlations ranged from R = 0.84 to 0.97 and from 0.90 to 0.99 for peak torque and MMG amplitude values, respectively, with no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the mean values for test versus retest at any contraction velocity. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in peak torque at all velocities except 240 [135 (27) Nm] versus 300 [127 (27) Nm], and 300 versus 360 degrees x s(-1) [115 (37) Nm]. The mean MMG amplitude at 60 degrees x s(-1) [61 (67) mV] was significantly less (P < 0.05) than that at 360 degrees x s(-1) [452 (451) mV]. These results indicate a velocity-related dissociation between MMG amplitude and peak torque. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that the increases in MMG amplitude were due to velocity-related decreases in muscle stiffness which allowed for greater muscle fiber oscillations.

The purpose of this study was to assess the strength and anaerobic responses of elite young female runners, in order to determine the relationship of these characteristics to age and high proficiency in sprint events. Thirty-one national junior-level sprint and middle distance runners were evaluated for isokinetic peak torque for leg extension at velocities ranging for 30 degrees to 300 degrees X s-1, anaerobic power and capacity based on the Wingate test, and body composition based on underwater weighing. Age-related and event-related differences were noted for both the peak torque and anaerobic response measures. Peak torques were greater for the older (greater than 11.67 yr) runners and greater for the sprinters when measured at the higher testing velocities. Anaerobic power and capacity were also greater for the older runners, but event-related differences only appeared when anaerobic power was adjusted for fat-free weight (adjusted anaerobic power was greater in the older sprinters). These results indicate that both age and fat-free weight influence strength and anaerobic responses in young female runners and that exceptional levels of such characteristics only appear for sprinters within the upper age groups of youth competition.