Neuromuscular factors contributing to in vivo eccentric moment generation.
Muscle series elasticity and its contribution to eccentric moment generation was examined in humans. While subjects [male, n = 30; age 26.3 +/- 4.8 (SD) yr; body mass 78.8 +/- 13.1 kg] performed an isometric contraction of the knee extensors at 60 degrees of knee flexion, a quick stretch was imposed with a 12 degrees -step displacement at 100 degrees /s. The test was performed at 10 isometric activation levels ranging from 1.7 to 95.2% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). A strong linear relationship was observed between the peak imposed eccentric moment derived from quick stretch and the isometric activation level (y = 1.44x + 7.08; r = 0.99). This increase in the eccentric moment is consistent with an actomyosin-dependent elasticity located in series with the contractile element of muscle. By extrapolating the linear relationship to 100% MVC, the predicted maximum eccentric moment was found to be 151% MVC, consistent with in vitro data. A maximal voluntary, knee extensor strength test was also performed (5-95 degrees, 3 repetitions, +/-50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 degrees/s). The predicted maximum eccentric moment was 206% of the angle- and velocity-matched, maximal voluntary eccentric moments. This was attributed to a potent neural regulatory mechanism that limits the recruitment and/or discharge of motor units during maximal voluntary eccentric contractions.
Webber
S
S
School of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3E 0W3.
Kriellaars
D
D
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation