Decreased excitability of motor axons contributes substantially to contraction fatigability during neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Publication: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism • 30 September 2020 • https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0366
Abstract
The present study was designed to (i) determine the time course of changes in motor axon excitability during and after neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); and (ii) characterize the relationship between contraction fatigability, NMES frequency, and changes at the axon, neuromuscular junction, and muscle. Eight neurologically intact participants attended 3 sessions. NMES was delivered over the common peroneal nerve at 20, 40, or 60 Hz for 8 min (0.3 s “on”, 0.7 s “off”). Threshold tracking was used to measure changes in axonal excitability. Supramaximal stimuli were used to assess neuromuscular transmission and force-generating capacity of the tibialis anterior muscle. Torque decreased by 49% and 62% during 8 min of 40 and 60 Hz NMES, respectively. Maximal twitch torque decreased only during 60 Hz NMES. Motor axon excitability decreased by 14%, 27%, and 35% during 20, 40, and 60 Hz NMES, respectively. Excitability recovered to baseline immediately (20 Hz) and at 2 min (40 Hz) and 4 min (60 Hz) following NMES. Overall, decreases in axonal excitability best predicted how torque declined over 8 min of NMES. During NMES, motor axons become less excitable and motor units “drop out” of the contraction, contributing substantially to contraction fatigability and its dependence on NMES frequency.
Novelty:
•
The excitability of motor axons decreased during NMES in a frequency-dependent manner.
•
As excitability decreased, axons failed to reach threshold and motor units dropped out of the contraction.
•
Overall, decreased excitability best predicted how torque declined and thus is a key contributor to fatigability during NMES.
Résumé
La présente étude est conçue pour : (i) déterminer l’évolution dans le temps des changements dans l’excitabilité de l’axone moteur pendant et après la stimulation électrique neuromusculaire (« NMES ») et (ii) caractériser la relation entre la fatigabilité de la contraction, la fréquence de NMES et les changements à l’axone, à la jonction neuromusculaire et au muscle. Huit participants sans trouble neurologique participent à trois séances. La NMES est appliquée sur le nerf péronier commun à 20, 40 ou 60 Hz pendant 8 min (0,3 s « allumé », 0,7 s « éteint »). Le suivi du seuil est utilisé pour mesurer les changements de l’excitabilité axonale. Des stimuli supramaximaux sont utilisés pour évaluer la transmission neuromusculaire et la capacité de génération de force du muscle tibial antérieur. Le torque diminue de 49 et 62 % pendant 8 min de NMES à 40 et 60 Hz, respectivement. Le torque maximal de secousse diminue uniquement pendant la NMES à 60 Hz. L’excitabilité des axones moteurs diminue de 14, 27 et 35 % pendant la NMES à 20, 40 et 60 Hz, respectivement. L’excitabilité revient à la valeur initiale immédiatement (20 Hz), 2 min (40 Hz) et 4 min (60 Hz) après la NMES. Dans l’ensemble, la diminution de l’excitabilité axonale prédit le mieux la diminution du torque durant les 8 min de NMES. Pendant la NMES, les axones moteurs deviennent moins excitables et les unités motrices « se retirent de » la contraction, contribuant ainsi considérablement à la fatigabilité de la contraction et à sa dépendance à la fréquence de NMES. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Les nouveautés :
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L’excitabilité des axones moteurs diminue pendant la NMES d’une manière dépendante de la fréquence.
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Au fur et à mesure de la diminution de l’excitabilité, les axones ne parviennent pas à atteindre le seuil et les unités motrices se retirent de la contraction.
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Dans l’ensemble, la diminution de l’excitabilité prédit le mieux la diminution du torque et constitue donc un facteur clé de la fatigabilité pendant la NMES.
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Published In
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Volume 46 • Number 4 • April 2021
Pages: 346 - 355
History
Received: 8 May 2020
Accepted: 31 August 2020
Published online: 30 September 2020
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© 2021.
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M. John Luu, Kelvin E. Jones, and David F. Collins. Decreased excitability of motor axons contributes substantially to contraction fatigability during neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
46(4): 346-355. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0366
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