Fatigue during stretch-shortening cycle exercises: changes in mechanical performance of human skeletal muscle

Stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), which is a normal contraction behavior of muscle, was used as a model to investigate muscular fatigue. Nine male volunteers were subjected to 100 repeated and exhaustive SSC contractions of the forearm extensors using a special sledge apparatus incorporating a force plate system. The fatigue contractions were performed on submaximal levels but the before-after comparison also included maximal drop-jump condition on the sledge as well as falls on to the floor. The results indicated that in the 100 submaximal SSCs the fatigue was characterized by increases in the contact times for both the eccentric and concentric phases of SSC, but the influence was more pronounced on the concentric part. The force-time curves during contact on the platform were influenced by fatigue so that the initial force peak became higher and the subsequent initial drop of force more pronounced. During submaximal and maximal drops, the angular velocities changed in the two phases of SSC. With progressing fatigue, the eccentric maximal angular velocity increased and the corresponding concentric velocities decreased. These changes were accompanied by slight changes in the elbow joint mechanism with respect to the contact, release, and maximal flexion angles. The results suggest that repeated SSC induces fatigue and the fatigue effects on the mechanical behavior of the muscle are very much similar to those induced by either isometric or concentric fatigue contractions. However, the transfer of the energy between eccentric and concentric phases was drastically reduced and this implies that SSCs can be used effectively to examine the fatiguability of the system regulating muscle stiffness during exercise.     

Circannual variation in lymphocyte subsets, revisited

BACKGROUND: Circadian and circannual variations in lymphocyte subsets, especially CD8+ T-lymphocytes, have been reported. This study focuses on CD4+ T-lymphocyte seasonal variation over a 6-year 8-month period. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Lymphocyte subsets were quantitated monthly for four healthy individuals from 1986 through 1992 as part of a flow cytometry quality-control program. RESULTS: In general, there were no significant seasonal changes in the total number of white cells or in total lymphocyte counts. The absolute numbers of CD4+ T-lymphocytes were lowest in summer when the CD8+ T-lymphocytes were highest. Mean CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts were 846, 967, 618, and 695 per microL for Subjects 1 through 4, respectively, in winter and 432, 670, 355, and 766 per microL, respectively, in summer. Two healthy subjects had CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts lower than 300 per microL on one or more occasions during the study period. In three of the four subjects, the percentage of B-lymphocytes in winter was almost double that in summer. In one of the four subjects, no circannual rhythm was observed in these lymphocyte subpopulations. CONCLUSION: The seasonal variation in CD4+ T- lymphocyte counts demonstrated in three healthy individuals over almost 7 years is again of interest in light of renewed consideration of using surrogate tests, such as CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts, to screen for AIDS- like diseases that may be in the blood supply.     

Biomechanics of sprint running. A review.

Understanding of biomechanical factors in sprint running is useful because of their critical value to performance. Some variables measured in distance running are also important in sprint running. Significant factors include: reaction time, technique, electromyographic (EMG) activity, force production, neural factors and muscle structure. Although various methodologies have been used, results are clear and conclusions can be made. The reaction time of good athletes is short, but it does not correlate with performance levels. Sprint technique has been well analysed during acceleration, constant velocity and deceleration of the velocity curve. At the beginning of the sprint run, it is important to produce great force/power and generate high velocity in the block and acceleration phases. During the constant-speed phase, the events immediately before and during the braking phase are important in increasing explosive force/power and efficiency of movement in the propulsion phase. There are no research results available regarding force production in the sprint-deceleration phase. The EMG activity pattern of the main sprint muscles is described in the literature, but there is a need for research with highly skilled sprinters to better understand the simultaneous operation of many muscles. Skeletal muscle fibre characteristics are related to the selection of talent and the training-induced effects in sprint running. Efficient sprint running requires an optimal combination between the examined biomechanical variables and external factors such as footwear, ground and air resistance. Further research work is needed especially in the area of nervous system, muscles and force and power production during sprint running. Combining these with the measurements of sprinting economy and efficiency more knowledge can be achieved in the near future.     

The family history in family practice: a questionnaire study

OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to investigate family medical history taking in general practice, and to evaluate the value attached to the family medical history as an aid to decision making in general practice. METHOD: A postal questionnaire survey was conducted among all 291 GPs working within the Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority area. Each questionnaire was followed by a reminder. The main outcome measures were answers to questions on routine and opportunistic family history taking and a question about transmitting knowledge about genetic risk to other members of the family. Questions were also posed about the value attached to the family medical history as an aid to decision making. RESULTS: A total of 193 GPs returned the questionnaire (response rate 66.3%). On registration, 94.3% of GPs indicated that enquiries were made about a family history of coronary heart disease. Breast and colorectal cancer were specifically asked about by 48.4% and 30.7% of GPs, respectively. One-fifth of respondents indicated that they asked a general question about family medical history. A little over one-quarter of respondents indicated that they made opportunistic enquiries about the family history or suggested that the patient should inform other members of the family about possible risks. In the scenarios highlighted in this study, the majority of respondents felt that the family medical history had value as an aid to decision making. This was particularly the case for checking a patient's cholesterol (92.1%) and for initiating referrals in younger patients with possible cancer-related symptoms (three-quarters of respondents). CONCLUSION: GPs value the family medical history as an aid to decision making. Unfortunately, apart from enquiries about coronary heart disease, routine or opportunistic family history taking is not occurring in practice. Mechanisms need to be sought to extract information from the family medical history so that it can be more effectively used by GPs.      

Neuromuscular changes after long-lasting mechanically and electrically elicited fatigue

Central fatigue was investigated under an isolated active condition whereby the possible effects of supraspinal fatigue were minimized. Therefore, ten subjects were fatigued by simultaneously and repeatedly mechanically stretching and electrically stimulating their calf muscles for 1 h. This was performed using an ankle ergometer. The active fatigue task included a total of 2400 muscle stretches with an intensity of 10% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). This protocol clearly impaired neuromuscular function, as revealed by a significant reduction in MVC (P<0.01) and the neural input to the muscle (average EMG) (P<0.01–0.001). The interpolated nerve stimulation compensated for this force loss by 4.28% (P<0.05). Stretch-reflex recordings revealed a notable post-fatigue reduction in the peak-to-peak amplitude (59.1%, P<0.01) and stretch-resisting force of the muscle (14.1%, P<0.01). The maximal H-reflex declined by 50.5% (P<0.001) and did not recover while the leg was kept ischemic. It is suggested that the existing protocol with minor metabolic loading can induce central fatigue, which seems to be of reflex origin from the fatigued muscle. Although the role of presynaptic inhibition of Ia terminals is possibly reinforced, disfacilitation via reduced spindle sensitivity cannot be excluded. Electronic Publication     

Changes in neuromuscular performance and muscle fiber characteristics of elite power athletes self-administering androgenic and anabolic steroids

The influence of androgenic-anabolic steroid-induced changes in measures of body composition, muscle fiber characteristics and various aspects of the neuromuscular performance of the leg extensor muscles was investigated in five experimental and six control power athletes during the 24-week programmed strength training followed by the additional six week training without hormone drugs. The mean values of the dosages of self-administration during the 24-week period were 31.0 +/- 14.3 mg/day for anabolic steroids (methandienone, stanozolol, nandrolone) and 178.4 +/- 82.7 mg/week for testosterone. During the 24-week hormone period the experimental group gained in fat-free weight (p less than 0.01) and in the mean muscle fiber areas (p less than 0.01) of the vastus lateralis muscle while the corresponding gains in the control group were minor (NS). The increases of maximal isometric force in the experimental and control groups were 14.7% (p less than 0.01) and 6.1% (NS), respectively, and the values obtained in average load-vertical jumping height curves were improved significantly (p less than 0.05) only in the experimental group. Increases of 18.2% (p less than 0.001) and 12.9% (p less than 0.01) took place in the squat lift in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Both groups demonstrated similar (p less than 0.05) improvements in isometric fast force production. During the additional six week programmed training without hormone drugs significant (p less than 0.05) increases were observed in the experimental group in addition to maximal isometric force and the squat-lift but also in isometric fast force production, while the corresponding changes in the control group were minor (NS). It is suggested that strength training in combination with administration of androgenic-anabolic steroids causes improvements in selected neuromuscular parameters. These changes may be greater than those of caused by the strength training alone.     

Effects of marathon running on running economy and kinematics

The present study was designed to investigate interactions between running economy and mechanics before, during, and after an individually run marathon. Seven experienced triathletes performed a 5-min submaximal running test on a treadmill at an individual constant marathon speed. Heart rate was monitored and the expired respiratory gas was analyzed. Blood samples were drawn to analyze serum creatine kinase activity (S-CK), skeletal troponin I (sTnI), and blood lactate (B-La). A video analysis was performed (200 frames · s⁻¹) to investigate running mechanics. A kinematic arm was used to determine the external work of each subject. The results of the present study demonstrate that after the marathon, a standardized 5-min submaximal running test resulted in an increase in oxygen consumption, ventilation, and heart rate (P < 0.05), with a simultaneous decrease in the oxygen difference (%) between inspired and expired air, and respiratory exchange ratio (P < 0.05). B-La did not change during the marathon, while sTnI and S-CK values increased (P < 0.05), peaking 2 h and 2 days after the marathon, respectively. With regard to the running kinematics, a minor increase in stride frequency and a similar decrease in stride length were observed (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate clearly that weakened running economy cannot be explained by changes in running mechanics. Therefore, it is suggested that the increased physiological loading is due to several mechanisms: increased utilization of fat as an energy substrate, increased demands of body temperature regulation, and possible muscle damage. Accepted: 20 March 2000     

Force-, EMG-, and elasticity-velocity relationships at submaximal,maximal and supramaximal running speeds in sprinters

Summary The relationships between ground reaction forces, electromyographic activity (EMG), elasticity and running velocity were investigated at five speeds from submaximal to supramaximal levels in 11 male and 8 female sprinters. Supramaximal running was performed by a towing system. Reaction forces were measured on a force platform. EMGs were recorded telemetrically with surface electrodes from the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles, and elasticity of the contact leg was evaluated with spring constant values measured by film analysis. Data showed increases in most of the parameters studied with increasing running speed. At supramaximal velocity (10.36±0.31 m×s⁻¹; 108.4±3.8%) the relative increase in running velocity correlated significantly (P<0.01) with the relative increase in stride rate of all subjects. In male subjects the relative change in stride rate correlated with the relative change of IEMG in the eccentric phase (P<0.05) between maximal and supramaximal runs. Running with the towing system caused a decrease in elasticity during the impact phase but this was significant (P<0.05) only in the female sprinters. The average net resultant force in the eccentric and concentric phases correlated significantly (P<0.05−0.001) with running velocity and stride length in the maximal run. It is concluded that (1) increased neural activation in supramaximal effort positively affects stride rate and that (2) average net resultant force as a specific force indicator is primarily related to stride length and that (3) the values in this indicator may explain the difference in running velocity between men and women.     

Signal characteristics of EMG at different levels of muscle tension.

Electromyographic activity of m. rectus femoris at submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions was quantified by conventional integration technique and also be a more "qualitative" procedure of automated motor unit averaging and frequency spectrum analysis. By relating the EMG parameters to produced muscle tension it was observed that the integrated EMG increased in a slightly nonlinear fashion with the increase in muscle force. The other EMG variables also showed clear changes as a function of muscle tension. The averaged motor unit potential (AMUP) and its specific parameters (number of spikes, amplitude, rise time and amplitude-rise time ratio) showed such changes with muscle tension that they may be useful in estimation of the recruitment pattern of the different types of motor units.