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Eccentric exercise-induced muscle weakness amplifies the history dependence of force

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Following active lengthening or shortening contractions, isometric steady-state torque is increased (residual force enhancement; rFE) or decreased (residual force depression; rFD), respectively, compared to fixed-end isometric contractions at the same muscle length and level of activation. Though the mechanisms underlying this history dependence of force have been investigated extensively, little is known about the influence of exercise-induced muscle weakness on rFE and rFD.

Purpose

Assess rFE and rFD in the dorsiflexors at 20%, 60%, and 100% maximal voluntary torque (MVC) and activation matching, and electrically stimulated at 20% MVC, prior to, 1 h following, and 24 h following 150 maximal eccentric dorsiflexion contractions.

Methods

Twenty-six participants (13 male, 24.7 ± 2.0y; 13 female, 22.5 ± 3.6y) were seated in a dynamometer with their right hip and knee angle set to 110° and 140°, respectively, with an ankle excursion set between 0° and 40° plantar flexion (PF). MVC torque, peak twitch torque, and prolonged low frequency force depression were used to assess eccentric exercise-induced neuromuscular impairments. History-dependent contractions consisted of a 1 s isometric (40°PF or 0°PF) phase, a 1 s shortening or lengthening phase (40°/s), and an 8 s isometric (0°PF or 40°PF) phase.

Results

Following eccentric exercise; MVC torque was decreased, prolonged low frequency force depression was present, and both rFE and rFD increased for all maximal and submaximal conditions.

Conclusions

The history dependence of force during voluntary torque and activation matching, and electrically stimulated contractions is amplified following eccentric exercise. It appears that a weakened neuromuscular system amplifies the magnitude of the history-dependence of force.

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Data availability

The data set generated and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

EMG:

Electromyography

iEMG:

Integral electromyography

EMGRMS :

Root mean square electromyography

rFERel :

Relative residual force enhancement

rFEAbs :

Absolute residual force enhancement

AR:

Activation reduction

rFD:

Residual force depression

AI:

Activation increase

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

PF:

Plantar Flexion

M-Max:

Maximum compound muscle action potential

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Acknowledgements

Infrastructure was provided by the University of Guelph start-up funding. We would like to thank all participants of this study. We would also like to thank Avery Hinks for constructive edits and feedback on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Funding

This project was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Vincenzo S. Contento & Geoffrey A. Power

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  1. Vincenzo S. Contento
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  2. Geoffrey A. Power
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Contributions

Conceptualization, V.S.C., and G.A.P.; data curation, V.S.C.; formal analysis, V.S.C. and G.A.P.; funding acquisition, G.A.P.; investigation, V.S.C. and G.A.P.; methodology, V.S.C., and G.A.P.; supervision, G.A.P.; writing—original draft, V.S.C., and G.A.P.; writing—review and editing, V.S.C., and G.A.P. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Geoffrey A. Power.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical statement

All procedures were approved by the Research Ethics Board Committee of the University of Guelph [REB#:20-09-026].

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Communicated by Philip D. Chilibeck.

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Contento, V.S., Power, G.A. Eccentric exercise-induced muscle weakness amplifies the history dependence of force. Eur J Appl Physiol 123, 749–767 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05105-z

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