Alteration of neuromuscular function in squash.
The alteration in neuromuscular function of knee extensor muscles was characterised after a squash match in 10 trained players. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and surface EMG activity of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles were measured before and immediately after a 1-h squash match. M-wave and twitch contractile properties were analysed following single stimuli. MVC declined (280.5+/-46.8 vs. 233.6+/-35.4 Nm, -16%; P<0.001) after the exercise and this was accompanied by an impairment of central activation, as attested by decline in voluntary activation (76.7+/-10.4 vs. 71.3+/-9.6%, -7%; P<0.05) and raw EMG activity of the two vastii (-17%; P<0.05), whereas RMS/M decrease was lesser (VL: -5%; NS and VM: -12%; P=0.10). In the fatigued state, no significant changes in M-wave amplitude (VL: -9%; VM: -5%) or duration were observed. Following exercise, the single twitch was characterised by lower peak torque (-20%; P<0.001) as well as shorter half-relaxation time (-13%; P<0.001) and reduced maximal rate of twitch tension development (-23%; P<0.001) and relaxation (-17%; P<0.05). A 1-h squash match play caused peripheral fatigue by impairing excitation-contraction coupling, whereas sarcolemmal excitability seems well preserved. Our results also emphasise the role of central activation failure as a possible mechanism contributing to the torque loss observed in knee extensors. Physical conditioners should consider these effects when defining their training programs for squash players.
Girard
Olivier
O
ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar. oliv.girard@gmail.com
Micallef
Jean-Paul
JP
Noual
Julien
J
Millet
Grégoire P
GP
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015865:Racquet Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D014202:Tremor / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult