Activation of skeletal muscle mechanoreceptors and nociceptors reduces the exercise performance of the contralateral homologous muscles

Abstract

We found that activation of mechanosensitive and nociceptive nerve afferents of a rested muscle group experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness was associated with reduced exercise performance of the homologous exercising muscles of the contralateral limb. This occurred with lower muscle voluntary activation of the exercising muscle at the point of task failure.