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Article
Stressor-Induced Increase in Muscle Fatigability of Young Men and Women is Predicted by Strength but Not Voluntary Activation
Journal of Applied Physiology
  • Manda L. Keller-Ross, Marquette University
  • Hugo M. Pereira, Marquette University
  • Jaclyn Pruse, Marquette University
  • Tejin Yoon, Marquette University
  • Bonnie A. Schlinder-Delap, Marquette University
  • Kristy A. Nielson, Marquette University
  • Sandra Hunter, Marquette University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
12 p.
Publication Date
4-1-2014
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Original Item ID
doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01129.2013
Abstract

This study investigated mechanisms for the stressor-induced changes in muscle fatigability in men and women. Participants performed an isometric-fatiguing contraction at 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) until failure with the elbow flexor muscles. Study one (n = 55; 29 women) involved two experimental sessions: 1) a high-stressor session that required a difficult mental-math task before and during a fatiguing contraction and 2) a control session with no mental math. For some participants (n = 28; 14 women), cortical stimulation was used to examine mechanisms that contributed to muscle fatigability during the high-stressor and control sessions. Study two (n = 23; nine women) determined the influence of a low stressor, i.e., a simple mental-math task, on muscle fatigability. In study one, the time-to-task failure was less for the high-stressor session than control (P < 0.05) for women (19.4%) and men (9.5%): the sex difference response disappeared when covaried for initial strength (MVC). MVC force, voluntary activation, and peak-twitch amplitude decreased similarly for the control and high-stressor sessions (P < 0.05). In study two, the time-to-task failure of men or women was not influenced by the low stressor (P > 0.05). The greater fatigability, when exposed to a high stressor during a low-force task, was not exclusive to women but involved a strength-related mechanism in both weaker men and women that accelerated declines in voluntary activation and slowing of contractile properties.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol. 116, No. 7 (April 1, 2014): 767-778. DOI. © 2014 The American Physiological Society. Used with permission.

Citation Information
Manda L. Keller-Ross, Hugo M. Pereira, Jaclyn Pruse, Tejin Yoon, et al.. "Stressor-Induced Increase in Muscle Fatigability of Young Men and Women is Predicted by Strength but Not Voluntary Activation" Journal of Applied Physiology (2014) ISSN: 0021-8987
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/bonnie_schlinder-delap/5/