Factors contributing to the fatigue-related reduction in active dorsiflexion joint range of motion
Publication: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
21 November 2012
Abstract
Reductions in active joint range of motion (ROM) are responsible for decreased work-generating capacity during fatiguing repetitive isotonic shortening contractions. Factors responsible for impairing the joint-angle-specific net torque developed during muscle shortening could include fatigue-induced torque loss, shortening-induced torque depression in the agonist muscle, and opposing passive tension of the antagonists, but these have not been systematically explored. Nine men (aged 25.8 ± 2.0 years) performed a maximal-effort fatiguing task that consisted of repetitive loaded shortening dorsiflexions through a 40° ankle joint ROM until active ROM decreased by 50%. Torque developed during contractile shortening, as well as passive opposing tension, was quantified before and after the reduction in active ROM. Before fatigue, and compared with maximum voluntary isometric contraction torque at the terminal ROM, shortening-induced torque depression in the agonist muscle and passive tension from the antagonists reduced net torque developed at the end of contractile shortening by ∼42% and ∼19%, respectively. After fatigue, a steepened ascending joint torque–angle relationship remained during contractile shortening, but neither muscle coactivation nor contractile slowing contributed to the fatigue-induced torque loss. Fatigue-induced torque loss, shortening-induced torque depression in the agonist, and passive tension in the antagonist greatly depressed net torque developed at the end of contractile shortening. These contributed to the fatigue-induced reduction in active ROM by impairing the ability of the dorsiflexors to generate sufficient torque to overcome the imposed load at the end of contractile shortening.
Résumé
La diminution de l'amplitude de mouvement actif (« ROM ») est la cause de la diminution de la capacité de travail au cours d'une série de contractions miométriques isotoniques jusqu'à épuisement. Les facteurs responsables de la diminution du moment de force net spécifique à l'angle au cours du raccourcissement des muscles seraient la diminution du moment de force induit par la fatigue, la diminution du moment de force du muscle agoniste due au raccourcissement et la tension passive provenant du muscle antagoniste; cependant, il n'y a pas d'études systématiques traitant de ces facteurs. Neuf jeunes hommes âgés de 25,8 ± 2,0 ans effectuent une tâche épuisante comportant une série de dorsiflexions maximales avec charge sur un angle de 40° à la cheville jusqu'à ce que la ROM diminue de 50 %. Avant et après la diminution de la ROM active, on évalue le moment de force généré au cours de l'activité contractile de raccourcissement du muscle et la tension passive antagoniste. Avant l'installation de la fatigue et comparativement au moment de force maximale isométrique volontaire généré à la fin de la ROM, on observe une diminution de ∼42 % du moment de force du muscle agoniste suscitée par le raccourcissement et de ∼19 % de tension passive antagoniste exercée à l'angle terminal de l'activité contractile de raccourcissement. Après l'installation de la fatigue, on observe la même relation ascendante marquée du moment de force – angle de cheville au cours de l'activité contractile de raccourcissement; néanmoins, ni la coactivation musculaire, ni le ralentissement de l'activité contractile ne contribuent à la diminution du moment de force suscitée par la fatigue. La diminution du moment de force suscitée par la fatigue, la diminution du moment de force suscitée par le raccourcissement du muscle agoniste et la tension passive exercée par le muscle antagoniste ont un effet marqué sur la diminution nette du moment de force observée à la fin de l'activité contractile de raccourcissement. Ces facteurs contribuent à la diminution de l'amplitude de mouvement actif suscitée par la fatigue, et ce, en diminuant la capacité de production suffisante de force des fléchisseurs dorsaux pour déplacer la charge à la fin de l'activité contractile de raccourcissement.
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Published In
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Volume 38 • Number 5 • May 2013
Pages: 490 - 497
History
Received: 21 September 2012
Accepted: 13 November 2012
Accepted manuscript online: 21 November 2012
Version of record online: 21 November 2012
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© 2013.
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ChengArthur J. and RiceCharles L.. 2013. Factors contributing to the fatigue-related reduction in active dorsiflexion joint range of motion. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 38(5): 490-497. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2012-0357