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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-03-2014 | Original Article

Effects of fatigue on the electromechanical delay components in gastrocnemius medialis muscle

Authors: Susanna Rampichini, Emiliano Cè, Eloisa Limonta, Fabio Esposito

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Under electrically evoked contractions, the time interval between the onset of the stimulation pulse (Stim) and the beginning of force (F) development can be partitioned (Delay_TOT), by an electromyographic (EMG), mechanomyographic (MMG) and F combined approach, into three components each containing different parts of the electrochemical and mechanical processes underlying neuromuscular activation and contraction. The aim of the study was to evaluate inter- and intra-operator reliability of the measurements and to assess the effects of fatigue on the different Delay_TOT components.

Methods

Sixteen participants underwent two sets of tetanic stimulations of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle, with 10 min of rest in between. After a fatiguing protocol of 120 s, tetanic stimulations were replicated. The same protocol was repeated on a different day. Stim, EMG, MMG and F signals were recorded during contraction. Delay_TOT and its three components (between Stim and EMG, Δt Stim-EMG; between EMG and MMG, Δt EMG-MMG and between MMG and F, Δt MMG-F) were calculated.

Results

Before fatigue, Delay_TOT, Δt Stim-EMG, Δt EMG-MMG and Δt MMG-F lasted 27.5 ± 0.9, 1.4 ± 0.1, 9.2 ± 0.5 and 16.8 ± 0.7 ms, respectively. Fatigue lengthened Delay_TOT, Δt Stim-EMG, Δt EMG-MMG and Δt MMG-F by 18, 7, 16 and 22 %, respectively. Δt Stim-EMG, Δt EMG-MMG and Δt MMG-F contributed to Delay_TOT lengthening by 2, 27 and 71 %, respectively. Reliability was always from high to very high.

Conclusions

The combined approach allowed a reliable calculation of the three contributors to Delay_TOT. The effects of fatigue on each Delay_TOT component could be precisely assessed.

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Title: Effects of fatigue on the electromechanical delay components in gastrocnemius medialis muscle
Authors: Susanna Rampichini
Emiliano Cè
Eloisa Limonta
Fabio Esposito
Publication date: 01-03-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2790-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effects of fatigue on the electromechanical delay components in gastrocnemius medialis muscle

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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