Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electromyographic and mechanomyographic responses of the biceps brachii during concentric and eccentric muscle actions to failure at high and low relative loads

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined neuromuscular responses of the biceps brachii (BB) for concentric and eccentric muscle actions during bilateral, dynamic constant external resistance (DCER), reciprocal forearm flexions and extensions to failure at high (80% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) and low (30% 1RM) relative loads.

Methods

Nine women completed 1RM testing and repetitions to failure (RTF) at 30 and 80% 1RM. Electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) signals were measured from the BB. Analyses included repeated measures ANOVAs (p < 0.05) and post-hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni corrected alpha of p < 0.008 and p < 0.01 for between and within factor pairwise comparisons, respectively.

Results

EMG AMP and MPF were significantly greater for concentric than eccentric muscle actions, regardless of load or time. However, time course of change analysis revealed parallel increases in EMG AMP for concentric and eccentric muscle actions during the RTF trials at 30% 1RM, but no change at 80% 1RM. There were significant increases in MMG AMP during concentric muscle actions, but decreases or no change during eccentric muscle actions. EMG and MMG MPF decreased over time, regardless of muscle action type and loading condition.

Conclusion

The greater EMG AMP and MPF values during concentric compared to eccentric muscle actions may reflect the difference in the efficiency characteristic of these muscle actions. The neuromuscular responses suggested that fatigue may be mediated by recruitment of additional motor units with lower firing rates during concentric muscle actions, and changes in motor unit synchronization during eccentric muscle actions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data is available upon request.

References

  • Aagaard P, Simonsen E, Andersen J, Magnusson S, Halkjaer-Kristensen J, Dyhre-Poulsen P (2000) Neural inhibition during maximal eccentric and concentric quadriceps contraction: effects of resistance training. J Appl Physiol 89(6):2249–2257

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Abbott B, Aubert X (1952) The force exerted by active striated muscle during and after change of length. J Physiol 117(1):77

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Amiridis I, Martin A, Morlon B, Martin L, Cometti G, Pousson M, Van Hoecke J (1996) Co-activation and tension-regulating phenomena during isokinetic knee extension in sedentary and highly skilled humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 73(1):149–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anders JPV, Keller JL, Neltner TJ, Housh TJ, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO (2021) Task-specific performance fatigability and the bilateral deficit during isokinetic leg extensions. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 21(1):4–12

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Arendt-Nielsen L, Gantchev N, Sinkjær T (1992) The influence of muscle length on muscle fibre conduction velocity and development of muscle fatigue. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 85(3):166–172

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arabadzhiev TI, Dimitrov VG, Dimitrova NA, Dimitrov GV (2010) Influence of motor unit synchronization on amplitude characteristics of surface and intramuscularly recorded EMG signals. Eur J Appl Physiol 108:227–237

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Weir JP, Cramer JT, Coburn JW, Malek MH (2004a) Mechanomyographic amplitude and mean power frequency versus torque relationships during isokinetic and isometric muscle actions of the biceps brachii. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 14(5):555–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2004.03.001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Weir JP, Cramer JT, Coburn JW, Malek MH (2004b) Mechanomyographic and electromyographic time and frequency domain responses during submaximal to maximal isokinetic muscle actions of the biceps brachii. Eur J Appl Physiol 92(3):352–359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Cramer JT, Weir JP, Coburn JW, Malek MH (2007) Does the frequency content of the surface mechanomyographic signal reflect motor unit firing rates? A brief review. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 17(1):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2005.12.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck TW, Housh TJ (2008) 15 Use of electromyography in studying human movement. Routledge handbook of biomechanics and human movement science

  • Bigland B, Lippold O (1954) The relation between force, velocity and integrated electrical activity in human muscles. J Physiol 123(1):214

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cook C, McDonagh M (1995) Force responses to controlled stretches of electrically stimulated human muscle-tendon complex. Exp Physiol Transl Integr 80(3):477–490

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dartnall TJ, Nordstrom MA, Semmler JG (2008) Motor unit synchronization is increased in biceps brachii after exercise-induced damage to elbow flexor muscles. J Neurophysiol 99(2):1008–1019

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca CJ (1984) Myoelectrical manifestations of localized muscular fatigue in humans. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 11(4):251–279

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca CJ, Contessa P (2015) Biomechanical benefits of the onion-skin motor unit control scheme. J Biomech 48(2):195–203

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM, Duchateau J (2016) Translating fatigue to human performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 48(11):2228–2238. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000929

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM, Stuart DG (1992) Neurobiology of muscle fatigue. J Appl Physiol 72(5):1631–1648

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM, Baudry S, Rudroff T, Farina D, Klass M, Duchateau J (2011) Unraveling the neurophysiology of muscle fatigue. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 21(2):208–219

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Izal M, Cadore EL, Izquierdo M (2014) Muscle conduction velocity, surface electromyography variables, and echo intensity during concentric and eccentric fatigue. Muscle Nerve 49(3):389–397

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grabiner M, Owings T (2002) EMG differences between concentric and eccentric maximum voluntary contractions are evident prior to movement onset. Exp Brain Res 145(4):505–511

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenhouse SW, Geisser S (1959) On methods in the analysis of profile data. Psychometrika 24(2):95–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guilhem G, Cornu C, Guével A (2011) Muscle architecture and EMG activity changes during isotonic and isokinetic eccentric exercises. Eur J Appl Physiol 111:2723–2733

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henneman E (1957) Relation between size of neurons and their susceptibility to discharge. Science 126(3287):1345–1347. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.126.3287.1345

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Merletti R, Stegeman D, Blok J, Rau G, Disselhorst-Klug C, Hägg G (1999) European recommendations for surface electromyography. Roessingh Res Dev 8(2):13–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirono T, Kunugi S, Yoshimura A, Holobar A, Watanabe K (2022) Acute changes in motor unit discharge property after concentric versus eccentric contraction exercise in knee extensor. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 67:102704

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hody S, Croisier J-L, Bury T, Rogister B, Leprince P (2019) Eccentric muscle contractions: risks and benefits. Front Physiol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00536

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Howell J, Fuglevand A, Walsh M, Bigland-Ritchie B (1995) Motor unit activity during isometric and concentric-eccentric contractions of the human first dorsal interosseus muscle. J Neurophysiol 74(2):901–904

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins ND, Housh TJ, Bergstrom HC, Cochrane KC, Hill EC, Smith CM, Johnson GO, Schmidt RJ, Cramer JT (2015) Muscle activation during three sets to failure at 80 vs. 30% 1RM resistance exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 115(11):2335–2347

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kellis E, Baltzopoulos V (1998) Muscle activation differences between eccentric and concentric isokinetic exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30(11):1616–1623

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Komi PV, Linnamo V, Silventoinen P, Sillanpaa M (2000) Force and EMG power spectrum during eccentric and concentric actions. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(10):1757–1762

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linnamo V, Bottas R, Komi P (2000) Force and EMG power spectrum during and after eccentric and concentric fatigue. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 10(5):293–300

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marsden CD, Meadows JC, Merton PA (1983) “Muscular wisdom” that minimizes fatigue during prolonged effort in man: peak rates of motoneuron discharge and slowing of discharge during fatigue. Adv Neurol 39:169–211

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nardone A, Romano C, Schieppati M (1989) Selective recruitment of high-threshold human motor units during voluntary isotonic lengthening of active muscles. J Physiol 409(1):451–471

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Newham D, Mills K, Quigley B, Edwards R (1983) Pain and fatigue after concentric and eccentric muscle contractions. Clin Sci 64(1):55–62

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Potvin JR (1997) Effects of muscle kinematics on surface EMG amplitude and frequency during fatiguing dynamic contractions. J Appl Physiol 82(1):144–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rack PM, Westbury D (1969) The effects of length and stimulus rate on tension in the isometric cat soleus muscle. J Physiol 204(2):443

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sadoyama T, Masuda T, Miyano H (1983) Relationships between muscle fibre conduction velocity and frequency parameters of surface EMG during sustained contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 51(2):247–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saito K, Sugawara K, Miyaguchi S, Matsumoto T, Kirimoto H, Tamaki H, Onishi H (2014) The modulatory effect of electrical stimulation on the excitability of the corticospinal tract varies according to the type of muscle contraction being performed. Front Hum Neurosci 8:835

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schoenfeld BJ, Contreras B, Willardson JM, Fontana F, Tiryaki-Sonmez G (2014) Muscle activation during low-versus high-load resistance training in well-trained men. Eur J Appl Physiol 114(12):2491–2497

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar S, Gander R, Brandell B (1989) Changes in the myoelectric signal (MES) power spectra during dynamic contractions. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 73(2):142–150

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor JL, Amann M, Duchateau J, Meeusen R, Rice CL (2016) Neural contributions to muscle fatigue: from the brain to the muscle and back again. Med Sci Sports Exerc 48(11):2294–2306. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000000923

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Westad C, Westgaard R, De Luca C (2003) Motor unit recruitment and derecruitment induced by brief increase in contraction amplitude of the human trapezius muscle. J Physiol 552(2):645–656

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Westing S, Cresswell A, Thorstensson A (1991) Muscle activation during maximal voluntary eccentric and concentric knee extension. Eur J Appl Physiol 62(2):104–108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao W, Fuglevand RJ, Enoka RM (2000) Motor-unit synchronization increases EMG amplitude and decreases force steadiness of simulated contractions. J Neurophysiol 83(1):441–452

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Brian Benitez, Lindsay McCallum, Minyoung Kwak, Pasquale J. Succi & Haley C. Bergstrom

  2. School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Taylor K. Dinyer-McNeely

Authors
  1. Brian Benitez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Taylor K. Dinyer-McNeely
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lindsay McCallum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Minyoung Kwak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pasquale J. Succi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Haley C. Bergstrom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by BB, TKD-M, LM, MK, PJS. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Brian Benitez and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian Benitez.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

No funds, grants, or other support was received for this study. Furthermore, all authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Additional information

Communicated by Nicolas Place.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (PDF 275 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Benitez, B., Dinyer-McNeely, T.K., McCallum, L. et al. Electromyographic and mechanomyographic responses of the biceps brachii during concentric and eccentric muscle actions to failure at high and low relative loads. Eur J Appl Physiol 123, 2145–2156 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05199-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05199-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation