Role of central and peripheral signals in force sensation during fatigue

doi:10.1016/0014-4886(83)90278-9

Experimental Neurology

Volume 81, Issue 2, August 1983, Pages 497-503

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(83)90278-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

Five subjects matched the force of a sustained isometric contraction with a contraction of the contralateral muscle. Estimates of the sustained constant forces increased with time despite the direction to disregard the increased effort associated with the fatiguing contraction. These instructions did not produce a noticeable dissociation between effort and achieved force during fatigue as had previously been reported during paresis and tendon vibration.

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Cited by (34)

The impact of rotator cuff tendinopathy on proprioception, measuring force sensation
2012, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Citation Excerpt :
These data cannot point out the neurophysiologic origin of the observed differences. Force sensation arises mainly from a combination of sensation of tension by peripheral Golgi tendon organs and central sensation of effort.4,14,17 Overestimation of force can possibly point at reduced sensitivity of proprioceptors.
The impact of rotator cuff tendinopathy and related impingement on proprioception is not well understood. Numerous quantitative and qualitative changes in shoulder muscles have been shown in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy. These findings suggest that control of force might be affected. This investigation wants to evaluate force sensation, a submodality of proprioception, in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Thirty-six patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy and 30 matched healthy subjects performed force reproduction tests to isometric external and internal rotation to investigate how accurately they could reproduce a fixed target (50% MVC). Relative error, constant error, and force steadiness were calculated to evaluate respectively magnitude of error made during the test, direction of this error (overshoot or undershoot), and fluctuations of produced forces.
Patients significantly overshoot the target (mean, 6.04% of target) while healthy subjects underestimate the target (mean, −5.76% of target). Relative error and force steadiness are similar in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy and healthy subjects. Force reproduction tests, as executed in this study, were found to be highly reliable (ICC 0.849 and 0.909). Errors were significantly larger during external rotation tests, compared to internal rotation.
Patients overestimate the target during force reproduction tests. This should be taken into account in the rehabilitation of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy; however, precision of force sensation and steadiness of force exertion remains unaltered. This might indicate that control of muscle force is preserved.
Sensorimotor Contribution to Shoulder Joint Stability
2009, The Athlete's Shoulder
The sensation of effort co-varies with reflex effects on the motoneurone pool: Evidence and implications
1994, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
Much evidence suggests that signals related to the motor command or effort contribute to sensations of force and of lifted weight. Consistent with this view, evidence is reviewed that reflex effects on alpha motoneurone pools lead to corresponding changes in perceived motor command or effort. For example, spinal reflex inhibition of the alpha motoneurone pool of first dorsal interosseous muscle produces an increase in perceived heaviness of weights lifted by that muscle. Reflex changes produced by small-diameter muscle afferents during muscle fatigue may also inhibit motoneurone pool and contribute to the increased command or effort required in fatiguing work. These findings have a number of implications for the assessment of perceived motor commands both under control circumstances and in the workplace. One corollary is that estimates of subjective effort for a particular repetitive task cannot be made independently of the reflexes associated with it.
Localized muscular fatigue duration, EMG parameters and accuracy of rapid limb movements
1994, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
While much is known about the physiological basis of local muscular fatigue, little is known about the kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) consequences of brief fatiguing isometric contractions. Five male subjects performed a horizontal elbow flexion-extension reversal movement over 90° in 250 ms to reversal before and after one of five single maximal isometric elbow flexions ranging in duration from 15–120 s. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the biceps brachii, the long head of the triceps, the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major, and the posterior deltoid. Spatial and temporal errors were computed from potentiometer output. During the fatiguing bouts, maximum voluntary force dropped linearly an average of 4% in the 15 s condition and 58% in the 120 s condition relative to maximum force. The associated biceps rectified-integrated EMG signal increased from the onset of each fatigue bout for 15–30 s, then decreased over the remainder of the longer bouts. Following the fatigue bout, subjects undershot the target distance on the first movement trial in all conditions. Following short fatigue durations (i.e. 15–30 s), the peak biceps EMG amplitude was disrupted and movement velocity decreased, but both measures recovered within seconds. As fatigue duration increased, progressive decreases in peak velocity occurred with increased time to reversal, reduced EMG amplitude, and longer recovery times. However, the relative timing of the EMG pattern was maintained suggesting the temporal structure was not altered by fatigue. The findings suggest that even short single isometric contractions can disrupt certain elements of the motor control system.
Prediction of Perceived Steering Wheel Operation Force by Muscle Activity
2018, IEEE Transactions on Haptics
Sense of extension force and angle of the knee joint are correlated between two generations of men
2018, Journal of Sports Sciences

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Research noteRole of central and peripheral signals in force sensation during fatigue

Abstract

Brain Res.

Exp. Neurol.

Neurosci. Lett.

Sampling of total muscle force by tendon organs

J. Neurophysiol.

The effect of respiratory muscle fatigue on respiratory sensations

Clin. Sci.

Sensations of heaviness

Brain

Changes in motor commands as shown by changes in perceived heaviness, during partial curarization and peripheral anaesthesia in man

J. Physiol. (London)

Functional properties of the Golgi tendon organs

Research note
Role of central and peripheral signals in force sensation during fatigue