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Local tissue temperature effects on peak torque and muscular endurance during isometric knee extension

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between local tissue temperature, peak torque and time to fatigue during isometric knee extensions. Nine males performed maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) and isometric knee extensions at 70% MVC to exhaustion after 30 min of hot [H, 47.7 (1.3)°C; mean (SD)], warm [W, 34.6 (0.4)°C], temperate [T, 24.5 (1.3)°C], and cold [C, −11.9 (1.8)°C] localized temperature applications. Isometric peak torque was not significantly affected by temperature. Time to fatigue was strongly and negatively correlated (r=−0.98) to temperature, with endurance after H [46.99 (4.98) s] and W [54.36 (9.18) s] significantly shorter than after C [73.27 (13.43) s]. We conclude that local tissue temperature does not impair peak force production but may change muscular endurance through local factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Ergonomics Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada

    Leo J. Thornley & Stephen S. Cheung

  2. Chelsea School, Welkin Science Laboratories, University of Brighton, 30 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, UK

    Neil S. Maxwell

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  1. Leo J. Thornley
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  2. Neil S. Maxwell
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  3. Stephen S. Cheung
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Correspondence to Stephen S. Cheung.

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Thornley, L.J., Maxwell, N.S. & Cheung, S.S. Local tissue temperature effects on peak torque and muscular endurance during isometric knee extension. Eur J Appl Physiol 90, 588–594 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0927-y

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