Cross education of muscular strength during unilateral resistance training and detraining

Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) in the contralateral untrained limb during unilateral resistance training and detraining, and to examine the factors inducing these changes by means of electrophysiological techniques. Nine healthy males trained their plantar flexor muscles unilaterally 4 days·week^–1 for 6 weeks using 3 sets of 10–12 repetitions at 70–75% of one-repetition maximum a day, and detrained for 6 weeks. Progressive unilateral resistance training significantly (P<0.05) increased MVC, integrated electromyogram (iEMG), and voluntary activation in the trained and contralateral untrained limbs. The changes in MVC after training were significantly correlated with the changes in iEMG in both limbs. No significant changes occurred in MVC, voluntary activation, and iEMG in the contralateral limb after detraining. The changes in MVC after detraining did not correlate with the changes in voluntary activation or iEMG in either limb. Training and detraining did not alter twitch and tetanic peak torques in either limb. These results suggest that the mechanisms underlying cross education of muscular strength may be explained by central neural factors during training, but not solely so during detraining. Electronic Publication     

Role of cyclic nucleotides in regulation of pulmonary artery tone in rabbits

The involvement of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent signal systems into the regulation of the contractile reaction of smooth muscles of the rabbit pulmonary arteries was studied using a mechanographic method. For modulation of intracellular level of cyclic nucleotides we used adenylate cyclase activators -adrenoceptor agonist isadrin, guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue, penetrating analog dibutyryl-cAMP, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The mechanisms of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent regulation of smooth muscle contractile activity were realized in close interrelationship, and the key component of this was cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. The ratio of activities of phosphodiesterase subtypes in smooth-muscle cells can essentially modulate the adrenergic effects in the pulmonary artery wall and even invert them.     

Effect of an increased calcium ion concentration on electrical and contractile activity of the smooth muscles of the guinea pig ureter

Smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig ureter were studied by the double sucrose gap method. An increase in the calcium ion concentration in the Ringer-Locke solution to 22 mM led to hyperpolarization and to a slight increase in the resistance of the membrane. The amplitude of the first spike potential and the height of the plateau were lowered but the amplitude of the oscillations was increased. In sodium-free Ringer-Locke solution, when the action potential in the smooth muscle cells of the ureter was converted into a simple spike potential, a marked increase in amplitude of the action potential was observed with an increase in the calcium ion concentration.Department of Neuromuscular Physiology, A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Gorev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 522–526, May, 1977.     

Shared motor innervation between dynamic and static intrafusal muscle fibers in the monkey

Distributions of 25 motor axons to 60 intrafusal muscle fibers of 10 poles of monkey spindle were reconstructed from serial 1 micron thick transverse sections of lumbrical muscles. About 44% of motor axons co-innervated two or more types of intrafusal fiber. The (dynamic) bag1 fiber shared motor innervation with the (static) bag2 or chain fibers in about 50% of spindle poles. Activation of single intrafusal fibers independent of the other fibers of the same intrafusal bundle occurs to a lesser degree in spindles of monkeys than in spindles of cats. Functional implications of this pattern of motor innervation are discussed.     

Walking modality affects respiratory muscle action and contribution to respiratory effort

We hypothesized that walking at increased speed or increasing gradient might have different effects on chest wall kinematics and respiratory muscle power components, and contribute differently to respiratory effort sensation. We measured the volumes of chest wall compartments by optoelectronic plethysmography, esophageal, gastric and transdiaphragmatic (P _di) pressures, and the sensation of the respiratory effort by a Borg scale in five normal subjects walking both at ascending gradient with constant speed (AG) and at ascending speed with constant gradient (AS). Chest wall kinematics, evaluated by displacement of chest wall compartments, did not show any significant difference between AS and AG. Muscle power, calculated as the product of mean flow and mean pressure, increased similarly, but its partitioning into pressure and velocity of shortening differed in the two modes. A greater increase in the pressure developed by the abdominal muscles (P _abm) (4.06-fold), and in the velocity of shortening of both rib cage inspiratory muscles (v _rcm,i) (2.01-fold) and the diaphragm (v _di) (1.90-fold) was associated with a lower increase in the pressure developed by the rib cage inspiratory muscles (P _rcm,i) (1.24-fold) and P _di (0.99-fold) with AG. Instead, with AS, a lower increase in P _abm (2.12-fold), v _rcm,i (1.66-fold) and v _di (1.54-fold) was associated with a greater increase in P _rcm,i (1.56-fold) and P _di (1.97-fold). A combination of P _abm and v _di during AG (Wald ²=23.19, P<0.0000), with the addition of P _rcm,i during AS (Wald ²=29.46, P<0.0000), was the best predictor of Borg score. In conclusion, the general strategy adopted by respiratory centers during different walking modes does not differ in terms of ventilation, chest wall kinematics, and respiratory muscle power production, whereas it does in terms of partitioning of power into pressure and velocity of shortening, and respiratory muscle contribution to respiratory effort sensation. Combinations of different patterns of flow and pressure generation made the respiratory effort sensation similar during AS and AG modes.     

腰大肌作用力与脊柱伸展应力关系的生物力学实验研究

目的:探讨腰大肌作用力带动脊柱伸展应力的生物力学关系。方法:取家兔12只,分3组,每组4只,解剖后保留枢椎以下完整之脊柱及骨盆、髋关节、上段股骨,不损伤脊柱前、后纵韧带、椎间盘及所附着之腰大肌,保留脊柱背侧的竖脊肌、棘上韧带,置于生物力学拉伸测试仪(日本岛津制作所产AGS-J系列)。上端十字头分别夹枢椎(颈胸腰段)、第1胸椎(胸腰段)和第12胸椎(腰段),下端十字头夹股骨上部;分别作有腰大肌状态下和切断腰大肌状态下,股髋自屈曲位到过伸带动脊柱自屈曲位到过伸位拉伸试验,测定两种不同状态下脊柱各节段的伸展应力(N/mm2)。结果:有腰大肌状态和切断腰大肌状态下,股-髋-脊柱拉伸后脊柱伸展应力分别为:颈胸腰全段平均为306.6675N/mm2:78.7167N/mm2;胸腰段为680.8417N/mm2:373.0375N/mm2;腰段为1990.7944N/mm2:523.0608N/mm2;经统计学分析,具显著性差异,P<0.01。结论:腰大肌作用力对脊柱伸展应力影响显著,颈胸腰段占74.33%、胸腰段占45.21%,腰段占73.73%的伸展应力源自腰大肌。脊柱在腰大肌作用下产生腰椎向腹部的弯曲。     

The relationship between the electromyogram-amplitude and isometric extension torques of neck muscles at different positions of the cervical spine

A group of 12 healthy men volunteered for the experiment. Electromyograms (EMG) were obtained from semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis, levator scapulae, and trapezius muscles. The flexion angle of the cervical spine was precisely adjusted to 0°, 10°, 20°, and 30° relative to the horizontal, with a constant angle of the atlanto-occipital joint. The subjects made eight short (about 2 s) vertical extension forces (6%, 12%,18%, 24%, 30%, 36%, 42%, and 48% of maximal voluntary peak contraction force). For each position, the centre of pressure under the head was determine as the basis for the calculation of the external lever arm. The presence of motor endplate regions was ascertained by multiple surface electrodes. The slopes of individual linear regression lines for the root mean square (rms)-values were dependent on the existence of endplates in the area of the electrodes — endplates caused smaller rms values per Newton metres of external torque. Significant intersubject differences between regression equations could not be eliminated by the normalization of EMG-parameters and/or torques. The elimination of gravity, the continuous monitoring of positions, and the consideration of localization of motor endplate regions were essential prerequisites for the acquisition of reliable relationships between EMG of different neck muscles and external torques. Two important conclusions were derived for the prediction of torques from EMG measurements: firstly, individual regression equations which take into account the position of the head and neck should be used; secondly, normalization procedures do not justify the application of average regressions to a group of subjects.     

Method of quantitative anatomical study of the dorsal neck muscles

Summary Biomechanical models of the cervical spine require knowledge of the position, size and orientation of the individual muscles that act on the cervical spine. We have developed a technique to stereometrically measure anatomical specimens. The apparatus is composed of three graduated metallic rods, which slide along a fixed support. This method is accurate to map the anatomy of individual muscles and provides quantitative data on their lines of action. Results are obtained from one specimen. The computer processing of the collected data allows formulation of a three-dimensional model of the neck muscles in man.

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Méthode d'étude anatomique quantitative des muscles de la nuqueEtude préliminaire

Résumé Pour élaborer un modèle biomécanique de la colonne cervicale, il faut connaître la position, la taille et l'orientation des différents muscles du cou. Nous avons mis au point une méthode de mesure stéréométrique sur des sujets anatomiques. L'appareil est composé de 3 axes métalliques gradués qui coulissent sur un support fixe. Cette technique permet une étude anatomique précise de chacun des muscles de la nuque, fournissant des données quantitatives sur les différents faisceaux ou lignes d'action. Les résultats sont obtenus sur un sujet. Leur traitement informatique permettra l'élaboration d'un modèle mathématique tridimensionnel des muscles du cou chez l'homme.

     

Effect of denervation of the working capacity of muscles

In acute experiments on cats, the working capacity of the leg muscles during stimulation of the sciatic nerve was increased after division of the sciatic and femoral nerves. This effect was not due to changes in the circulation, for it persisted if the blood flow was stabilized. Increased working capacity was also manifested after partial deafferentation of the limb by division of the dorsal roots of the spinal cord or extirpation of the tibial bone marrow.Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Latvian Research Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Riga. (Presented by Academician V. N. Chernigovskii.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 6–8, February, 1975.     

Excitation of units in the lateral geniculate and contiguous nuclei of the cat by stretch of extrinsic ocular muscles

Summary In cats, anaesthetized with chloralose and paralysed, the responses of units in the right lateral thalamus were recorded while the extrinsic ocular muscles (EOM) of the right eye were stretched in the dark. Phasic responses were found in all layers of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) and in the perigeniculate nucleus (PGN). A given unit usually responded to stretch of more than one EOM and thus to more than one direction of rotation of the eye in the orbit. LGNd. Of a sample of 76 units in LGNd, 55 (72%) gave visual but no muscle responses and 21 (28%) responded to EOM stretch. In all, 40 units with EOM responses were examined and 25 of the 27 tested (93%) also had visual responses. Of the 40 units, 32 could be allocated to layers, thus: layer A, 8 (25%); layer A1, 20 (63%); layer B, 3 (9%); central interlaminar nucleus, 1 (3%). It is interesting that most of the EOM responses were found in layer A1 which receives the excitatory visual input from the eye whose EOM were stretched. Muscle responsive units occurred with ON- and OFF-centre visual responses of sustained and transient types. PGN. In PGN, 21 units gave EOM responses and most of them were also excited by visual input.The conclusion is that the LGNd and PGN recieve an extraretinal proprioceptive signal which should be present during at least large saccadic eye movements. The anatomical pathways which may be involved and the significance of the signal are discussed briefly.