Abstract
Changes of extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]e) were measured in human muscles during volitional isometric contractions using liquid ion-exchanger electrodes. In principle, an intramuscular injection needle containing a microelectrode with a side-pore was inserted into the brachioradialis muscle. After insertion of the needle, the glass ion-selective microelectrode (ISM) could be moved out of the protective trocar shield into the muscle tissue. The average values of [K+]e in human muscles during maximal effort rose from 4.5 mmol/l K+ to 9.5 mmol/l K+. These values correspond closely to those previously found in muscles of experimental animals.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Altman PL, Dittmer DS (eds) (1974) Biology data book (2. ed.), vol III. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Bethesda, Maryland
Beránek R (1964) Intracellular stimulation myography in man. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 16:301–304
Beránek R (1965) Intracellular electromyography in man (in Czech, with English Summary). Babákova sbirka No. 39. Avicenum, Prague, pp 1–117
Fenn WO (1937) Loss of potassium in voluntary contraction. Am J Physiol 120:675–680
Gebert G (1972) Messung der K+- and Na+-Aktivität mit Mikro-Glaselektroden im Extracellulärraum des Kaninchenskelettmuskels bei Muskelarbeit. Pflügers Arch 331:204–214
Hník P, Vyskočil F, Kříž N, Holas M (1972) Work-induced increase of extracellular potassium concentration in muscle measured by ion-specific electrodes. Brain Res 40:559–562
Hník P, Holas M, Krekule I, Kříž N, Mejsnar J, Smieško V, Ujec E, Vyskočil F (1976) Work-induced potassium changes in skeletal muscle and effluent venous blood assessed by liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes. Pflügers Arch 362:85–94
Kjellmer I (1965) The potassium ion as a vasodilator during muscular exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 63:460–468
Lind AR, McNicol GW, Donald KW (1966) Circulatory adjustments to sustained (static) muscular activity. In: Evang K, Andersen KL (eds). Proceedings of the Beitostölen Symposium on “Physical Activity in Health and Disease”. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 38–63
Ujec E, Pavlik V, Machek J (1983) Microélectrodes ionoselectives coaxiales (ISCM) avec des qualités de transfer controlables. J Physiol (Paris), (in press)
Vyskočil F, Kříž N (1972) Modification of single and double-barrel potassium-specific microelectrodes for various physiological experiments. Pflügers Arch 337:265–276
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vyskočil, F., Hník, P., Rehfeldt, H. et al. The measurement of K +e concentration changes in human muscles during volitional contractions. Pflugers Arch. 399, 235–237 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656721
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656721