Less common synaptic input between muscles from the same group allows for more flexible coordination strategies during a fatiguing task
Julien Rossato, Kylie Tucker, Simon Avrillon, Lilian Lacourpaille, Aleš Holobar, François Hug
Abstract
Redundancy of the neuromuscular system theoretically allows for a redistribution of the neural drive across muscles (i.e., between-muscle compensation) during a fatiguing contraction. Our results suggest that a high level of common input between muscles (e.g., vastus lateralis and medialis) represents a neural constraint making it less likely to redistribute the neural drive across these muscles. In this way, redistribution was only observed across muscles that share little common synaptic input (e.g., gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis).
Topics & Concepts
Isometric exerciseVastus medialisElectromyographyMuscle contractionMuscle fatiguePhysical medicine and rehabilitationElectrophysiologyNeuroscienceContraction (grammar)Muscle groupCorrelationComputer scienceMotor unit recruitmentMotor neuronCoactivationFlexibility (engineering)Spike trainNeurophysiologyMotor controlAnatomyMotor coordinationBiomechanicsMotor systemTask (project management)Vastus lateralis muscleTriceps surae muscleMotor Control and AdaptationMuscle activation and electromyography studiesTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies