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Initial conditions influence the characteristics of ballistic contractions in the ankle dorsiflexors

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Abstract

This study investigated the influence of different initial conditions on a subsequent fast (ballistic) isometric contraction of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) of dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscles were recorded during ballistic contractions performed without any pre-activation (BAL) and in ballistic contractions preceded by a sustained submaximal contraction (20% MVC) that was followed either by a rapid voluntary relaxation of the agonist muscle (VRBAL) or by a rapid antagonist (reversal) contraction (ARBAL). In the latter condition, three different antagonist torque levels were compared (25, 50 and 75% MVC). The results showed that the mean average rate of torque development was significantly (P < 0.001) greater for the ARBAL condition (968.5 ± 183.9% MVC/s) compared with the VRBAL (509.3 ± 78.7% MVC/s) and BAL (461.8 ± 79.9% MVC/s) conditions. Furthermore, the mean value recorded for VRBAL was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than for BAL condition. The faster increases in torque during the VRBAL and ARBAL conditions were associated with a greater agonist EMG activity. Compared with VRBAL, performance during the ARBAL condition was improved by a greater level of antagonist coactivation and, in some trials, by the presence of a silent EMG period between the end of the antagonist activation and the onset of the agonist ballistic contraction. Together, these results indicate that the initial conditions can have a substantial influence on the rate of torque development during ballistic contractions performed in isometric conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS-FRS) of Belgium and the Conseil de la Recherche of the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808 route de Lennik, CP 640, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    Chris Richartz, Morgan Lévénez, Julien Boucart & Jacques Duchateau

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  1. Chris Richartz
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  2. Morgan Lévénez
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  3. Julien Boucart
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  4. Jacques Duchateau
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Correspondence to Jacques Duchateau.

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Communicated by Arnold de Haan.

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Richartz, C., Lévénez, M., Boucart, J. et al. Initial conditions influence the characteristics of ballistic contractions in the ankle dorsiflexors. Eur J Appl Physiol 110, 805–814 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1564-x

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