The loss of muscle force production after muscle stretching is not accompanied by altered corticospinal excitability
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
European Journal of Applied Physiology
ISSN
1439-6327
Volume
119
Issue
10
First Page
2287
Last Page
2299
PubMed ID
31456049
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences / Center for Exercise and Sports Science Research
RAS ID
31042
Funders
ECU International Post Graduate Research Scholarship
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether depression of maximal muscular force and neural drive subsequent to prolonged ( ≥ 60 s) passive muscle stretching is associated with altered corticospinal excitability or intracortical (GABA
METHODS: Fourteen healthy adult males were tested before and after 5 min (5 × 60-s stretches) of intense, passive static stretching of the plantar flexor muscles. Two protocols (A and B) were conducted in a randomized order. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered to the contralateral motor cortex at rest (Protocol A) and during maximal voluntary contractions (Protocol B). Changes in maximal voluntary isometric torque, voluntary surface electromyographic activity of triceps surae muscles (normalized to M-wave; EMG/M), motor-evoked potentials (MEP), and cortical silent period (cSP; Protocol B) in soleus elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were examined 10 min after stretch.
RESULTS: In both protocols A and B, significant decreases were observed immediately after stretching in maximal voluntary plantar flexion torque ( - 20.1 ± 15.9%, P = 0.004; and - 17.2 ± 13.5%, P = 0.006) and EMG/M ( - 18.0 ± 18.2%, P = 0.023; and - 13.0 ± 9.3%, P = 0.003). Decreases in torque and EMG/M were highly correlated (r = 0.67-0.85, P < 0.05). However, no changes were observed in MEP amplitudes during rest ( + 29.3 ± 50.0%) or maximum voluntary contraction ( + 1.9 ± 16.8%), or in cSP ( + 2.1 ± 15.1%).
CONCLUSIONS: Impaired neural drive contributed to the stretch-induced force loss; however, changes in corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition could not explain the phenomenon.
DOI
10.1007/s00421-019-04212-8
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Comments
Pulverenti, T. S., Trajano, G. S., Kirk, B. J. C., & Blazevich, A. J. (2019). The loss of muscle force production after muscle stretching is not accompanied by altered corticospinal excitability. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(10), 2287-2299.
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