Neuromuscular factors contributing to in vivo eccentric moment generation

Abstract

Webber, Sandra, and Dean Kriellaars. Neuromuscular factors contributing to in vivo eccentric moment generation. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(1): 40–45, 1997.—Muscle series elasticity and its contribution to eccentric moment generation was examined in humans. While subjects [male, n = 30; age 26.3 ± 4.8 (SD) yr; body mass 78.8 ± 13.1 kg] performed an isometric contraction of the knee extensors at 60° of knee flexion, a quick stretch was imposed with a 12°-step displacement at 100°/s. The test was performed at 10 isometric activation levels ranging from 1.7 to 95.2% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). A strong linear relationship was observed between the peak imposed eccentric moment derived from quick stretch and the isometric activation level ( y = 1.44 x + 7.08; r = 0.99). This increase in the eccentric moment is consistent with an actomyosin-dependent elasticity located in series with the contractile element of muscle. By extrapolating the linear relationship to 100% MVC, the predicted maximum eccentric moment was found to be 151% MVC, consistent with in vitro data. A maximal voluntary, knee extensor strength test was also performed (5–95°, 3 repetitions, ±50, 100, 150, 200, and 250°/s). The predicted maximum eccentric moment was 206% of the angle- and velocity-matched, maximal voluntary eccentric moments. This was attributed to a potent neural regulatory mechanism that limits the recruitment and/or discharge of motor units during maximal voluntary eccentric contractions.