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Improved tolerance of peripheral fatigue by the central nervous system after endurance training

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of endurance training on central fatigue development and recovery.

Methods

A control group was compared to a training group, which followed an 8-week endurance-training program, consisting in low-force concentric and isometric contractions. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the training period, neuromuscular function of the knee extensor (KE) muscles was evaluated before, immediately after and during 33 min after an exhausting submaximal isometric task at 15 % of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force. After training, the trained group performed another test at iso-time, i.e., with the task maintained until the duration completed before training was matched (POST2). The evaluation of neuromuscular function consisted in the determination of the voluntary activation level during MVCs, from peripheral nerve electrical (VAPNS) and transcranial magnetic stimulations (VATMS). The amplitude of the potentiated twitch (Pt), the evoked [motor evoked potentials, cortical silent period (CSP)] and voluntary EMG activities were also recorded on the KE muscles.

Results

Before training, the isometric task induced significant reductions of VAPNS, VATMS and Pt, and an increased CSP. The training period induced a threefold increase of exercise duration, delayed central fatigue appearance, as illustrated by the absence of modification of VAPNS, VATMS and CSP after POST2. At POST, central fatigue magnitude and recovery were not modified but Pt reduction was greater.

Conclusion

These results suggest that central fatigue partially adapts to endurance training. This adaptation principally translates into improved tolerance of peripheral fatigue by the central nervous system.

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Abbreviations

Ag:

Silver

AgCl:

Silver chloride

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

BF:

Biceps femoris

CSP:

Cortical silent period

EMG:

Electromyography

KE muscles:

Knee extensor muscles

Mmax :

Maximal muscle compound action potential

M-wave:

Muscle compound action potential

MEP:

Motor evoked potential

MEP·M −1max :

Normalized motor evoked potential

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

PNS:

Peripheral nerve stimulation

PRE:

Before training

PRE EX:

Measurement before exercise

POST:

After training

POST2:

After training; denotes the exercise with a duration equal to the exercise conducted at PRE

POST EX:

Measurement after exercise

Pt:

Amplitude of the potentiated twitch

RF:

Rectus femoris

RM:

Maximal repetition

RMS:

Root mean square

RMS·M −1max :

Normalized voluntary EMG activity

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

TMS:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

VAPNS :

Voluntary activation level measured from peripheral nerve stimulation

VATMS :

Voluntary activation level measured from transcranial magnetic stimulation

VL:

Vastus lateralis

VM:

Vastus medialis

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Prof. Guillaume Y. Millet for his valuable comments during the preparation of the manuscript. No sources of funding were used to conduct this study or prepare this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UBIAE (INSERM U902), Faculty of Sport Sciences, Val d’Essonne University, Evry, France

    F. Zghal, F. Cottin & V. Martin

  2. Complexity, Innovation, Motor and Sportive Activities (CIAMS, EA 4532), Paris-Sud University, 91400, Orsay, France

    F. Cottin

  3. EM2S Research Unit, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Sfax, Tunisia

    I. Kenoun, H. Rebaï & W. Moalla

  4. Department of Neurophysiology, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

    M. Dogui

  5. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, (UR12ES06) Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia

    Z. Tabka

  6. Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to exercise in Physiological and Pathological conditions (AME2P, EA 3533), Clermont University, Blaise Pascal University, BP 10448, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    V. Martin

  7. Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l’Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P, EA 3533), 24, avenue des Landais, BP 80026, 63171, Aubiere Cedex, France

    V. Martin

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  1. F. Zghal
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Correspondence to V. Martin.

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Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

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Zghal, F., Cottin, F., Kenoun, I. et al. Improved tolerance of peripheral fatigue by the central nervous system after endurance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1401–1415 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3123-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3123-y

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