Surface electromyography and peak torque of repetitive maximum isokinetic plantar flexions in relation to aspects of muscle morphology

• This study investigates the relationships between surface electromyography (EMG [Mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF)]) and peak torque variables obtained during 100 maximum concentric plantar flexions with the right limb at 60 degrees s(-1) and different muscle morphological variables. Surface EMG was recorded from the right gastrocnemius lateralis and muscle biopsies were taken from the same site as the EMG electrodes were positioned. Muscle fibre area and fibre type composition were determined on serial muscle cross sections using both histochemistry (myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase) and immunohistochemistry (monoclonal antibodies against specific myosin heavy chain isoforms). Forty-three female and nine male students participated in the study. Gastrocnemius lateralis contained predominantly type I fibres (50%) and type IIA fibres (40%) in both sexes and large individual differences were found. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the intercorrelation analyses, and projection to latent structures (PLS) was used for the multivariate regression analysis. MNF correlated positively with different fibre areas and with the proportion of type I fibres. Fibre areas and sex were the most important factors in the regression of maximum peak torque. High proportion of type I fibres and sex were the most important regressors of peak torque endurance normalised for lean body mass. More studies are needed to understand the complex interrelationships between intrinsic muscle properties and the frequency content of the surface EMG before theoretical models can be formulated that incorporate both fibre areas and fibre type proportions.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Muscle fatigue

Muscle fibres

Dynamic

Gastrocnemius lateralis

Electromyography

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Physiology

Fysiologi

INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS

TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FORSKNINGSOMRÅDEN

Sports

Idrott

Sports Science

Idrottsvetenskap

Fysiologi

Physiology

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