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01-06-2020 | Fatigue | Original Article

Relationship between recovery of neuromuscular function and subsequent capacity to work above critical power

Authors: Leandro Camati Felippe, Taynara Gonçalves Melo, Marcos D. Silva-Cavalcante, Guilherme Assunção Ferreira, Daniel Boari, Romulo Bertuzzi, Adriano E. Lima-Silva

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between the recovery of neuromuscular fatigue and the recovery of amount of work done above critical power (W´).

Methods

Ten healthy men performed, on different days, constant work rate exercises until task failure to determine critical power (CP) and W´. In the three following visits, participants performed two exhausting constant work rate exercises estimated to induce task failure within 6 min (P6₁ and P6₂), interspaced by 3, 6 or 15 min of recovery. Neuromuscular function was assessed before and periodically after the P6₁ using percutaneous electrical femoral nerve stimulation. The W´ recovery was measured from the total work performed above CP during the P6₂.

Results

The P6₁ induced a full use of W´ and a reduction in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC, − 19 ± 4%), voluntary activation (VA, − 6 ± 2%) and twitch force stimulated at 1 Hz (− 37 ± 11%), 10 Hz (− 50 ± 16%) and 100 Hz (− 32 ± 11%), when compared to baseline (P < 0.05). The time constant of VA recovery was significantly faster than the time constant of W´ recovery (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the time constant of W´ recovery and the time constant of recovery of MVC or twitch force stimulated at 1, 10 and 100 Hz (P > 0.05). However, the time constant of W´ recovery was only associated to the time constant of MVC recovery (r = 0.73, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The W´ recovery is not associated to the recovery of peripheral or central fatigue alone. Rather, W´ seems to be associated to the recovery of the overall capacity to generate force.

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Title: Relationship between recovery of neuromuscular function and subsequent capacity to work above critical power
Authors: Leandro Camati Felippe
Taynara Gonçalves Melo
Marcos D. Silva-Cavalcante
Guilherme Assunção Ferreira
Daniel Boari
Romulo Bertuzzi
Adriano E. Lima-Silva
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Fatigue
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04338-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Relationship between recovery of neuromuscular function and subsequent capacity to work above critical power

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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