Reliability of relaxation properties of knee-extensor muscles induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation

Vernillo, Gianluca; Barbi, Chiara; Temesi, John; Giuriato, Gaia; Laginestra, Fabio Giuseppe; Martignon, Camilla; Schena, Federico; Venturelli, Massimo

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136694

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…After the TMS-evoked twitch, there is a period of relaxation, where sarcomeres lengthen and the muscle spindles could induce a monosynaptic reflex (Hupfeld et al 2020 ; Škarabot et al 2019b ). Since increases in voluntary contraction increased the relaxation ratio and reduced the time to peak relaxation in knee extensor (Vernillo et al 2022 ) muscle spindles could be responsible for the involuntary EMG activity. However, latencies of the patellar tendon reflex in RF were 16–22 ms (Frijns et al 1997 ), and time to peak relaxation in knee extensors were ~ 140 ms and ~ 160 ms during contractions of 75% and 50% of MVC, respectively (Vernillo et al 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since increases in voluntary contraction increased the relaxation ratio and reduced the time to peak relaxation in knee extensor (Vernillo et al 2022 ) muscle spindles could be responsible for the involuntary EMG activity. However, latencies of the patellar tendon reflex in RF were 16–22 ms (Frijns et al 1997 ), and time to peak relaxation in knee extensors were ~ 140 ms and ~ 160 ms during contractions of 75% and 50% of MVC, respectively (Vernillo et al 2022 ). Thus, muscle spindles could provide feedback but not as early as the involuntary EMG activity observed in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increases in voluntary torque production increase the tension of the tendon and, consequently, increase GTO activity (Houk et al 1970 ). In addition, muscle relaxation rate following TMS is greater with increased torque, which could activate muscle spindles as the sarcomeres lengthen (Vernillo et al 2022 ). As such, afferent feedback mechanisms may be modified by increased torque level and potentially influence spinal excitability during SP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contraction intensity modulates spinal excitability during transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked silent period in rectus femoris muscle

Gomez-Guerrero,

Ansdell,

Howatson

et al. 2023

Eur J Appl Physiol

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Purpose Reduced spinal excitability during the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) silent period (SP) has recently been shown to last longer than previously thought in the upper limbs, as assessed via spinal electrical stimulation. Further, there is reason to expect that contraction intensity affects the duration of the reduced spinal excitability. Methods This study investigated spinal excitability at different time delays within the TMS-evoked SP in m.rectus femoris. Fifteen participants performed non-fatiguing isometric knee extensions at 25%, 50% and 75% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Lumbar stimulation (LS) induced a lumbar-evoked potential (LEP) of 50% resting M-max. TMS stimulator output induced a SP lasting ~ 200 ms. In each contraction, a LEP (unconditioned) was delivered ~ 2–3 s prior to TMS, which was followed by a second LEP (conditioned) 60, 90, 120 or 150 ms into the silent period. Five contractions were performed at each contraction intensity and for each time delay in random order. Results Compared to the unconditioned LEP, the conditioned LEP amplitude was reduced (− 28 ± 34%, p = 0.007) only at 60 ms during 25% of MVC. Conditioned LEP amplitudes during 50% and 75% of MVC were reduced at 60 ms (− 37 ± 47%, p = 0.009 and − 37 ± 42%, p = 0.005, respectively) and 150 ms (− 30% ± 37%, p = 0.0083 and − 37 ± 43%, p = 0.005, respectively). LEP amplitude at 90 ms during 50% of MVC also reduced (− 25 ± 35%, p = 0.013). Conclusion Reduced spinal excitability is extended during 50% and 75% of MVC. In future, paired TMS-LS could be a potential method to understand changes in spinal excitability during SP (at different contraction intensities) when testing various neurophysiological phenomena.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contraction intensity modulates spinal excitability during transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked silent period in rectus femoris muscle

Gomez-Guerrero,

Ansdell,

Howatson

et al. 2023

Eur J Appl Physiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Knee extensors were chosen as target muscle group since they play a key role during ambulatory, functional, and sporting activities. 97,98 The first three visits were separated by 7 days, and each participant performed all tests at the same time of day. Because the neuromuscular function of the knee extensors can be influenced by the different phases of the menstrual cycle, 99 the first day of menstruation was considered as day 1 of the cycle and females visited the lab on day 14 ± 2 of their menstrual cycle.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the third visit, the participants undertook a warm‐up protocol followed by a series of MVICs of the dominant knee extensors (see Neuromuscular testing protocol ). Knee extensors were chosen as target muscle group since they play a key role during ambulatory, functional, and sporting activities 97,98 . The first three visits were separated by 7 days, and each participant performed all tests at the same time of day.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex differences in neuromuscular and biological determinants of isometric maximal force

Giuriato,

Romanelli,

Bartolini

et al. 2024

Acta Physiologica

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AimForce expression is characterized by an interplay of biological and molecular determinants that are expected to differentiate males and females in terms of maximal performance. These include muscle characteristics (muscle size, fiber type, contractility), neuromuscular regulation (central and peripheral factors of force expression), and individual genetic factors (miRNAs and gene/protein expression). This research aims to comprehensively assess these physiological variables and their role as determinants of maximal force difference between sexes.MethodsExperimental evaluations include neuromuscular components of isometric contraction, intrinsic muscle characteristics (proteins and fiber type), and some biomarkers associated with muscle function (circulating miRNAs and gut microbiome) in 12 young and healthy males and 12 females.ResultsMale strength superiority appears to stem primarily from muscle size while muscle fiber‐type distribution plays a crucial role in contractile properties. Moderate‐to‐strong pooled correlations between these muscle parameters were established with specific circulating miRNAs, as well as muscle and plasma proteins.ConclusionMuscle size is crucial in explaining the differences in maximal voluntary isometric force generation between males and females with similar fiber type distribution. Potential physiological mechanisms are seen from associations between maximal force, skeletal muscle contractile properties, and biological markers.

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Skeletal muscle fiber type and TMS-induced muscle relaxation in unfatigued and fatigued knee-extensor muscles

Barbi,

Temesi,

Giuriato

et al. 2024

American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comp

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The force drop after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivered to the motor cortex during voluntary muscle contractions could inform about muscle relaxation properties. Because of the physiological relation between skeletal muscle fiber type distribution and size and muscle relaxation, TMS could be a non-invasive index of muscle relaxation in humans. By combining a non-invasive technique to record muscle relaxation in vivo (TMS) with the gold standard technique for muscle tissue sampling (muscle biopsy), we investigated the relation between TMS-induced muscle relaxation in unfatigued and fatigued states, and muscle fiber type distribution and size. Sixteen participants (7F/9M) volunteered to participate. Maximal knee-extensor voluntary isometric contractions were performed with TMS before and after a 2-min sustained maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Vastus lateralis muscle tissue was obtained separately from the participants' dominant limb. Fiber type I distribution and relative cross-sectional area of fiber type I correlated with TMS-induced muscle relaxation at baseline [r = 0.67, adjusted P = 0.01; r = 0.74, adjusted P = 0.004, respectively] and normalized TMS-induced muscle relaxation as a percentage of baseline [r = 0.50, adjusted P = 0.049; r = 0.56, adjusted P = 0.031, respectively]. The variance in the normalized peak relaxation rate at baseline (59.8%, P < 0.001) and in the fatigue resistance (23.0%, P = 0.035) were explained by the relative cross-sectional area of fiber type I to total fiber area. Fiber type I proportional area influences TMS-induced muscle relaxation, suggesting TMS as an alternative method to non-invasively inform about skeletal muscle relaxation properties.

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Reliability of relaxation properties of knee-extensor muscles induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation

Cited by 3 publications

References 38 publications

Contraction intensity modulates spinal excitability during transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked silent period in rectus femoris muscle

Contraction intensity modulates spinal excitability during transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked silent period in rectus femoris muscle

Sex differences in neuromuscular and biological determinants of isometric maximal force

Skeletal muscle fiber type and TMS-induced muscle relaxation in unfatigued and fatigued knee-extensor muscles

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