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Neuromuscular responses of recreationally active women during a sustained, submaximal isometric leg extension muscle action at a constant perception of effort

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to examine the fatigue-related patterns of responses for electromyography (EMG), mechanomyography (MMG), and force during a sustained, submaximal isometric leg extension muscle action anchored at RPE = 5.

Methods

Ten women (23.1 ± 2.3 year) performed two, maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) prior to and following an isometric muscle action that was sustained at RPE = 5 (OMNI-RES) for a maximal time-limit of 5 min or until RPE = 5 could not be maintained (actual time-limit). EMG amplitude (AMP), EMG mean power frequency (MPF), MMG AMP, MMG MPF, and force values were determined every 5% of the actual or maximal time-limit. Regression analyses were used to examine the neuromuscular parameters and force vs. time relationships.

Results

The pretest MVIC (46.9 ± 8.9 kg) was significantly (p = 0.003; d = 1.8) greater than posttest (36.4 ± 5.3 kg) MVIC. The actual time-limit was 180 ± 90.9 s (range 84.8–300 s). The percent decline in force production during the sustained isometric muscle action was 34.7 ± 17.1%, and there was a significant negative, quadratic force vs. time relationship (p < 0.001; R = − 0.983). There was a significant positive, quadratic MMG AMP vs. time relationship (p < 0.001; R = 0.852), but no significant (p > 0.05) relationships for EMG AMP, EMG MPF, or MMG MPF vs. time.

Conclusions

The current findings indicated that it was necessary to reduce force to maintain RPE = 5. The neuromuscular and force responses supported the RPE clamp model and suggested that force was initially regulated by anticipatory feedforward mechanisms and then altered by afferent feedback.

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Abbreviations

AMP:

Amplitude

EMG:

Electromyography

MMG:

Mechanomyography

MPF:

Mean power frequency

MVIC:

Maximal voluntary isometric contraction

OMNI-RES:

Omni-resistance training scale

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

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Acknowledgements

In addition, we would like to thank all the individuals who volunteered for our study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, 110 Ruth Leverton Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0806, USA

    Joshua L. Keller, Terry J. Housh, Ethan C. Hill, Cory M. Smith, Richard J. Schmidt & Glen O. Johnson

Authors
  1. Joshua L. Keller
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  2. Terry J. Housh
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  3. Ethan C. Hill
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  4. Cory M. Smith
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  5. Richard J. Schmidt
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  6. Glen O. Johnson
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Contributions

All authors conceived and designed the research. JLK, ECH, and CMS contributed to the data collection and analysis. JLK and TJH wrote the manuscript. ECH, CMS, RJS, and GOJ contributed edits, feedback, and suggestions for the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua L. Keller.

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Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by William J. Kraemer.

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Keller, J.L., Housh, T.J., Hill, E.C. et al. Neuromuscular responses of recreationally active women during a sustained, submaximal isometric leg extension muscle action at a constant perception of effort. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 2499–2508 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3976-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3976-y

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