Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(01): 14-20
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1316359
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Quadriceps Muscle Fatigue in Trained and Untrained Boys

M. Callewaert
1   Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
,
J. Boone
1   Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
2   Centre of Sports Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
,
B. Celie
1   Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
,
D. De Clercq
1   Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
,
J. Bourgois
1   Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
2   Centre of Sports Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 23 May 2012

Publication Date:
14 August 2012 (online)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore muscle oxygen extraction and muscle activation pattern during bilateral intermittent submaximal isometric knee-extensions by combining Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Electromyography (EMG) measurements from the M. Vastus Lateralis. A group of highly specifically trained boys (youth sailors) (n=10) and untrained matched controls (n=10) performed 12 bouts of 90 s bilateral submaximal (30–40% MVC) isometric knee-extension interspersed with 6 s recovery-periods. Patterns of deoxygenated haemoglobin and myoglobin concentration (Deoxy[Hb+Mb]) were observed during each bout and the entire protocol. Reoxygenation Index (RI) was assessed for each recovery period as the amplitude of Deoxy[Hb+Mb]-decrease relative to amplitude of Deoxy[Hb+Mb]-increase during each bout. Root Mean Square (RMS) and Mean Power Frequency (MPF) were calculated for each bout as an average of the final 60 s. Deoxy[Hb+Mb], RI, RMS and MPF were analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA. Results indicated significantly higher Deoxy[Hb+Mb]-increase and lower RI in specifically trained boys compared to untrained controls. These differences are presumably related to the differences in EMG-measurements which demonstrated lower RMS-increase and MPF-decrease for trained compared to untrained boys. In conclusion, specifically trained boys indicate delayed onset of muscle fatigue in comparison to untrained controls, which might be associated with the different pattern of muscle O2-extraction or muscle activation pattern (i. e., a more accurate recruitment of slow-twitch fibres).

 
  • References

  • 1 Belardinelli R, Barstow T, Porszasz J, Wasserman K. Changes in skeletal muscle oxygenation during incremental exercise measured with near infrared spectroscopy. Eur J Appl Physiol 1995; 70: 487-492
  • 2 Boone J, Koppo K, Barstow T, Bouckaert J. Effect of exercise protocol on deoxy[Hb+Mb]: incremental step versus ramp exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 935-942
  • 3 Boyas S, Guével A. Influence of exercise intensity and joint angle on endurance time prediction of sustained submaximal isometric knee extensions. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111: 1187-1196
  • 4 Boyas S, Maïsetti O, Guével A. Changes in sEMG parameters among trunk and thigh muscles during a fatiguing bilateral isometric multi-joint task in trained and untrained subjects. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2009; 19: 259-268
  • 5 Celie B, Boone J, Van Coster R, Bourgois J. Reliability of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for measuring forearm oxygenation during incremental handgrip exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; “in press”
  • 6 Coburn J, Housh T, Cramer J, Weir J, Miller J, Beck T, Malek M, Johnson G. Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses of the vastus madialis muscle during isometric and concentric muscle actions. J Strength Cond Res 2005; 19: 412-420
  • 7 Cohen R, Mitchell C, Dotan R, Gabriel D, Klentrou P, Falk B. Do neuromuscular adaptations occur in endurance-trained boys and men?. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2010; 35: 471-479
  • 8 Crenshaw A, Bronee L, Krag I, Jensen B. Oxygenation and EMG in the proximal and distal vastus lateralis during submaximal isometric knee extension. J Sports Sci 2010; 28: 1057-1064
  • 9 Crenshaw A, Karlsson S, Gerdle B, Fridén J. Differential responses in intramuscular pressure and EMG fatigue indicators during low- vs. high-level isometric contractions to fatigue. Acta Physiol Scand 1997; 160: 353-361
  • 10 De Ruiter C, Goudsmit J, Van Tricht J, De Haan A. The isometric torque at which knee-extensor muscle reoxygenation stops. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39: 443-453
  • 11 Felici F, Quaresima V, Fattorini L, Sbriccoli P, Filligoi G, Ferrari M. Biceps brachii myoelectric and oxygenation changes during static and sinusoidal isometric exercises. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2009; 92: E1-E11
  • 12 Ferreira L, Townsend D, Lutjemeier B, Barstow T. Muscle capillary blood flow kinetics estimated from pulmonary O2 uptake and near-infrared spectroscopy. J Appl Physiol 2005; 98: 1820-1828
  • 13 Halin R, Germain P, Bercier S, Kapitaniak B, Buttelli O. Neuromuscular response of young boys versus men during sustained maximal contraction. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003; 35: 1042-1048
  • 14 Halin R, Germain P, Buttelli O, Kapitaniak B. Differences in strength and surface electromyogram characteristics between pre-pubertal gymnasts and untrained boys during brief and maintained maximal isometric voluntary contractions. Eur J Appl Physiol 2002; 87: 409-415
  • 15 Harriss D, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
  • 16 Hatzikotoulas K, Patikas D, Bassa E, Hadjileontiadis L, Koutedakis Y, Kotzamanidis C. Submaximal fatigue and recovery in boys and men. Int J Sports Med 2009; 30: 741-746
  • 17 Häkkinen K, Alen M, Kraemer W, Gorostiaga E, Izquierdo M, Rusko H, Mikkola J, Häkkinen A, Valkeinen H, Kaarakainen E, Romu S, Erola V, Ahtiainen J, Paavolainen L. Neuromuscular adaptations during concurrent strength and endurance training versus strength training. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003; 89: 42-52
  • 18 Kime R, Hamaoka T, Sako T, Murakami M, Homma T, Katsumura T, Chance B. Delayed reoxygenation after maximal isometric handgrip exercise in high oxidative capacity muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003; 89: 34-41
  • 19 Knight C, Kamen G. Superficial motor units are larger than deeper motor units in human vastus lateralis muscle. Muscle Nerve 2005; 31: 475-480
  • 20 Kooistra R, Blaauboer M, Born J, de Ruiter C, de Haan A. Knee extensor muscle oxygen consumption in relation to muscle activation. Eur J Appl Physiol 2006; 98: 535-545
  • 21 Kooistra R, de Ruiter C, de Haan A. Knee angle-dependent oxygen consumption of human quadriceps muscles during maximal voluntary and electrically evoked contractions. Eur J Appl Physiol 2008; 102: 233-242
  • 22 Kotzamanidis C, Hatzikotoulas K, Patikas D, Bassa E. Differences in fatigability between the sexes during a sustained submaximal contraction protocol in prepubertal children. J Sports Sci 2006; 24: 817-824
  • 23 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Pardo J, Chicharro JL. Metabolic and neuromuscular adaptations to endurance training in professional cyclists: a longitudinal study. Jap J Physiol 2000; 50: 381-388
  • 24 Matkowski B, Place N, Martin A, Lepers R. Neuromuscular fatigue differs following unilateral vs bilateral sustained submaximal contractions. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2011; 21: 268-276
  • 25 Maïsetti O, Boyas S, Guével A. Specific neuromuscular responses of high skilled laser sailors during a multi-joint posture sustained until exhaustion. Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 968-975
  • 26 Mitchell C, Cohen R, Dotan R, Gabriel D, Klentrou P, Falk B. Rate of muscle activation in power- and endurance-trained boys. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2011; 6: 94-105
  • 27 Moalla W, Merzouk A, Costes F, Tabka Z, Ahmaidi S. Muscle oxygenation and EMG activity during isometric exercise in children. J Sports Sci 2006; 24: 1195-1201
  • 28 Parizková J. Total body fat and skinfold thickness in children. Metabolism 1961; 10: 794-807
  • 29 Pääsuke M, Ereline J, Gapeyeva H. Neuromuscular fatigue during repeated exhaustive submaximal static contractions of knee extensor muscles in endurance-trained, power-trained and untrained men. Acta Physiol Scand 1999; 166: 319-326
  • 30 Ratel S, Duché P, Williams C. Muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise in children. Sports Med 2006; 36: 1031-1065
  • 31 Sejersted O, Hargens A, Kardel K, Blom P, Jensen O, Hermansen L. Intramuscular fluid pressure during isometric contraction of human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 1984; 56: 287-295
  • 32 Usaj A, Jereb B, Robi P, von Duvillard S. The influence of strength-endurance training on the oxygenation of isometrically contracted forearm muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007; 100: 685-692
  • 33 Usaj A. The endurance training effect on the oxygenation status of an isometrically contracted forearm muscle. Eur J Physiol 2001; 442: R155-R156
  • 34 Vogiatzis I, Andrianopoulos V, Louvaris Z, Cherouveim E, Spetsioti S, Vasilopoulou M, Athanasopoulos D. Quadriceps muscle blood flow and oxygen availability during repetitive bouts of isometric exercise in simulated sailing. J Sports Sci 2011; 29: 1041-1049
  • 35 Vogiatzis I, Tzineris D, Athanasopoulos D, Georgiadou O, Geladas N. Quadriceps oxygenation during isometric exercise in sailing. Int J Sports Med 2008; 29: 11-15
  • 36 Yamada E, Kusaka T, Arima N, Isobe K, Yamamoto T, Itoh S. Relationship between muscle oxygenation and electromyography activity during sustained isometric contraction. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2008; 28: 216-221