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Short-interval cortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation during submaximal voluntary contractions changes with fatigue

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Abstract

This study determined whether short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) change during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction. On 2 days, 12 participants (6 men, 6 women) performed brief (7-s) elbow flexor contractions before and after a 10-min fatiguing contraction; all contractions were performed at the level of integrated electromyographic activity (EMG) which produced 25 % maximal unfatigued torque. During the brief 7-s and 10-min submaximal contractions, single (test) and paired (conditioning–test) transcranial magnetic stimuli were applied over the motor cortex (5 s apart) to elicit motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in biceps brachii. SICI and ICF were elicited on separate days, with a conditioning–test interstimulus interval of 2.5 and 15 ms, respectively. On both days, integrated EMG remained constant while torque fell during the sustained contraction by ~51.5 % from control contractions, perceived effort increased threefold, and MVC declined by 21–22 %. For SICI, the conditioned MEP during control contractions (74.1 ± 2.5 % of unconditioned MEP) increased (less inhibition) during the sustained contraction (last 2.5 min: 86.0 ± 5.1 %; P < 0.05). It remained elevated in recovery contractions at 2 min (82.0 ± 3.8 %; P < 0.05) and returned toward control at 7-min recovery (76.3 ± 3.2 %). ICF during control contractions (conditioned MEP 129.7 ± 4.8 % of unconditioned MEP) decreased (less facilitation) during the sustained contraction (last 2.5 min: 107.6 ± 6.8 %; P < 0.05) and recovered to 122.8 ± 4.3 % during contractions after 2 min of recovery. Both intracortical inhibitory and facilitatory circuits become less excitable with fatigue when assessed during voluntary activity, but their different time courses of recovery suggest different mechanisms for the fatigue-related changes of SICI and ICF.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (Program Grant 1055084 and Fellowships to JLT, JEB and SCG) and also in part by a National Institute of Aging award (R21AG045766) to SKH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Science Program, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA

    Sandra K. Hunter

  2. School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada

    Chris J. McNeil

  3. Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia

    Jane E. Butler, Simon C. Gandevia & Janet L. Taylor

  4. School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Jane E. Butler & Janet L. Taylor

  5. Prince of Wales Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Simon C. Gandevia

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  1. Sandra K. Hunter
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  4. Simon C. Gandevia
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  5. Janet L. Taylor
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Correspondence to Sandra K. Hunter.

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Hunter, S.K., McNeil, C.J., Butler, J.E. et al. Short-interval cortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation during submaximal voluntary contractions changes with fatigue. Exp Brain Res 234, 2541–2551 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-016-4658-9

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