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This study examined the effects of continuous endurance training on motor unit (MU) mean firing rates (MFR), percent myosin heavy chain (%MHC) isoforms, and muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the vastus lateralis (VL). Twelve females completed 5-weeks of continuous cycling-training (CYC), while 8 females were controls (CON). Participants performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and 40% MVCs of the knee extensors before (PRE) and after the 5-week treatment period at the same absolute pre-treatment submaximal torque (POST

Simulated military operational stress (SMOS) provides a useful model to better understand resilience in humans as the stress associated with caloric restriction, sleep deficits, and fatiguing exertion degrades physical and cognitive performance. Habitual physical activity may confer resilience against these stressors by promoting favorable use-dependent neuroplasticity, but it is unclear how physical activity, resilience, and corticospinal excitability (CSE) relate during SMOS. To examine associations between corticospinal excitability, physical activity, and physical performance during SMOS. Fifty-three service members (age: 26 ± 5 yr, 13 women) completed a 5-day and -night intervention composed of familiarization, baseline, SMOS (2 nights/days), and recovery days. During SMOS, participants performed rigorous physical and cognitive activities while receiving half of normal sleep (two 2-h blocks) and caloric requirements. Lower and upper limb CSE were determined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulus-response curves. Self-reported resilience, physical activity, military-specific physical performance (TMT), and endocrine factors were compared in individuals with high (HIGH) and low CSE based on a median split of lower limb CSE at baseline. HIGH had greater physical activity and better TMT performance throughout SMOS. Both groups maintained physical performance despite substantial psychophysiological stress. Physical activity, resilience, and TMT performance were directly associated with lower limb CSE. Individual differences in physical activity coincide with lower (but not upper) limb CSE. Such use-dependent corticospinal excitability directly relates to resilience and physical performance during SMOS. Future studies may use noninvasive neuromodulation to clarify the interplay among CSE, physical activity, and resilience and improve physical and cognitive performance. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that individual differences in physical activity levels coincide with lower limb corticospinal excitability. Such use-dependent corticospinal excitability directly relates to resilience and physical performance during a 5-day simulation of military operational stress with caloric restriction, sleep restriction and disruption, and heavy physical and cognitive exertion.

Changes in motor unit (MU) activity pre- to post-interventions is of high interest. However, there is minimal information regarding day-to-day changes or the reliability of measuring MU activity. This study examined the reliability of relationships calculated via the MU action potential (AP) trains derived from surface electromyography signal decomposition. A comparison between reliability statistics was made between MUAP trains verified with only the reconstruct-and-test versus verification including reconstruct-and-test with spike trigger average (STA) procedures. Twenty-one individuals performed isometric muscle actions at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction of the first dorsal interosseous on two separate visits. MUs included for reliability analyses initially met the > 90% accuracy from the reconstruct-and-test. STA was applied as an additional exclusionary procedure. Linear regressions were applied to the firing rate and AP amplitude versus recruitment threshold relationships with and without MUs that met the STA criteria. Reliability statistics were also performed on relationships that met a strict range of recruitment thresholds. Reliability was established with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) along with other traditional parameters. The firing rate versus recruitment threshold relationships were reliable (ICC > 0.56) and improved (ICC > 0.84) when recruitment ranges were controlled. The slopes of the MUAP amplitude versus recruitment threshold relationships were reliable (ICC > 0.78) while the y-intercepts were reliable (ICC > 0.81) once corrections were made to combat negative scores. Electromyographic signal decomposition without the secondary STA verification procedures can be used to detect intervention-related changes in neural drive with confidence when recorded MU recruitment thresholds are similar across days.

Traumatic musculoskeletal injury (MSI) may involve changes in corticomotor structure and function, but direct evidence is needed. To determine the corticomotor basis of MSI, we examined interactions among skeletomotor function, corticospinal excitability, corticomotor structure (cortical thickness and white matter microstructure), and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS)-induced plasticity. Nine women with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACL) 3.2 ± 1.1 yr prior to the study and 11 matched controls (CON) completed an MRI session followed by an offline plasticity-probing protocol using a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study design. iTBS was applied to the injured (ACL) or nondominant (CON) motor cortex leg representation (M1

To examine the effects of 10 weeks of endurance cycling training on mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS)–torque relationships and muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the vastus lateralis (VL) for 10 sedentary males (Age ± SD; 20.2 ± 1.9 years) and 14 sedentary females (21.9 ± 5.3 years). Participants performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and an isometric ramp up muscle action to 70% MVC of the knee extensors before (PRE) and after training at the same absolute pre-treatment submaximal torque (POSTABS). MMG was recorded from the VL and b terms were calculated from the natural log-transformed MMGRMS–torque relationships for each subject. mCSA was determined with ultrasonography. Cycling decreased MVCs from pre- (168.10 ± 58.49 Nm) to post-training (160.78 ± 58.39 Nm; p = 0.005) without changes in mCSA. The b terms were greater for POSTABS (0.623 ± 0.204) than PRE (0.540 ± 0.226; p = 0.012) and for males (0.717 ± 0.171) than females (0.484 ± 0.168; p = 0.003). mCSA was correlated with the b terms for PRE (p

The double-cone coil (D-CONE) is frequently used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiments that target the motor cortex (M1) lower-limb representation. Anecdotal evidence and modeling studies have shed light on the off-target effects of D-CONE TMS but the physiological extent remains undetermined. To characterize the off-target effects of D-CONE TMS based on bilateral corticospinal responses in the legs and hands. Thirty (N = 30) participants (9 women, age: 26 ± 5yrs) completed a stimulus–response curve procedure with D-CONE TMS applied to the dominant vastus lateralis (cVL) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded in each active VL and resting first dorsal interosseous (FDI). As a positive control (CON), the dominant FDI was directly targeted with a figure-of-eight coil and MEPs were similarly recorded in each active FDI and resting VL. MEPMAX, V50 and MEP latencies were compared with repeated-measures ANOVAs or mixed-effects analysis and Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons. Off-target responses were evident in all muscles, with similar MEPMAX in the target (cVL) and off-target (iVL) leg (p = 0.99) and cFDI compared with CON (p = 0.99). cFDI and CON MEPMAX were greater than iFDI (p

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are established mediators of adaptation to exercise. Currently, there are no published data comparing changes in EVs between men and women after resistance exercise. We tested the hypothesis that EV profiles would demonstrate a sex-specific signature following resistance exercise. Ten men and 10 women completed an acute heavy resistance exercise test for back squats using 75% of their one-repetition maximum. Blood was drawn before and immediately after exercise. EVs were isolated from plasma using size exclusion chromatography and stained with antibodies associated with exosomes (CD63), microvesicles (VAMP3), apoptotic bodies (THSD1), and a marker for skeletal muscle EVs (SGCA). CD63+ EV concentration and proportion of total EVs increased 23% ( P = 0.006) and 113% ( P = 0.005) in both sexes. EV mean size declined in men ( P = 0.020), but not in women, suggesting a relative increase in small EVs in men. VAMP3+ EV concentration and proportion of total EVs increased by 93% ( P = 0.025) and 61% ( P = 0.030) in men and women, respectively. SGCA+ EV concentration was 69% higher in women compared with men independent of time ( P = 0.007). Differences were also observed for CD63, VAMP3, and SGCA median fluorescence intensity, suggesting altered surface protein density according to sex and time. There were no significant effects of time or sex on THSD1+ EVs or fluorescence intensity. EV profiles, particularly among exosome-associated and muscle-derived EVs, exhibit sex-specific differences in response to resistance exercise which should be further studied to understand their relationship to training adaptations.

This investigation examined the influence of 12-week ballistic resistance training programs on the IGF-I system in circulation, interstitial fluid, and skeletal muscle, at rest and in response to acute exercise. Seventeen college-aged subjects (11 women/6 men; 21.7 ± 3.7 yr) completed an acute ballistic exercise bout before and after the training program. Blood samples were collected pre-, mid-, and postexercise and analyzed for serum total IGF-I, free IGF-I, and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) 1–4. Dialysate and interstitial free IGF-I were analyzed in vastus lateralis (VL) interstitial fluid collected pre- and postexercise via microdialysis. Pre- and postexercise VL muscle biopsies were analyzed for IGF-I protein expression, IGF-I receptor phosphorylation (p-IGF-IR), and AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT). Following training, basal serum IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 decreased whereas IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-4 increased. Training reduced basal dialysate and interstitial free IGF-I but had no effect on basal skeletal muscle IGF-I, p-IGF-IR, or p-AKT. Acute exercise elicited transient changes in IGF-I system concentrations and downstream anabolic signaling both pre- and posttraining; training did not affect this acute exercise response. Posttraining, acute exercise-induced changes in dialysate/interstitial free IGF-I were strongly correlated with the changes in intramuscular IGF-I expression, p-IGF-IR, and p-AKT. The divergent influence of resistance training on circulating/interstitial and skeletal muscle IGF-I demonstrates the importance of concurrent, multiple biocompartment analysis when examining the IGF-I system. As training elicited muscle hypertrophy, these findings indicate that IGF-I’s anabolic effects on skeletal muscle are mediated by local, rather than systemic mechanisms. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the first investigation to assess resistance training’s effects on the IGF-I system in serum, interstitial fluid, and skeletal muscle, training decreased basal circulating and interstitial IGF-I but did not alter basal intramuscular IGF-I protein activity. Posttraining, acute exercise-induced interstitial IGF-I increases were strongly correlated with intramuscular IGF-I expression and signaling. These findings highlight the importance of multibiocompartment measurement when analyzing IGF-I and suggest that IGF-I’s role in hypertrophic adaptations is locally mediated.

Ambulating while carrying a mission specific load is one of the most frequently executed occupational tasks for the military, especially for individuals in combat roles. Prolonged ambulation is a naturally dynamic and complex process, characterized by highly multi-dimensional interactions within the gait mechanics of the lower extremity. Recent wearable sensors studies, like inertial measurement unit (IMU)-related gait studies have demonstrated that machine learning (MLN) algorithms and fractal analysis can successfully discriminate between classes, such as movement patterns, injury, age and sex. This study attempts to classify fractal gait patterns of women and men using IMU-based signal data obtained from accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer during a 2 km loaded (20 kg) march. Random Forest (RF) MLN algorithm was used to generate a model that can measure the accuracy and identify the importance of IMU-based signal-related fractal variables. A total of 18 variables were calculated using 2 fractal methods, detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and wavelet transform-based power spectral density (PSD), from 3 IMU-based signals in their 3 axes (medial-lateral, vertical and anterior-posterior). A total of 33 healthy adults (17 men [26.7±5.9 years] and 16 women [25.2±4.5 years]) volunteered for this study. A 9-axis IMU sensor was attached to each participant at each of the following locations: feet, shanks, thighs and lumbar spine. An independent training-testing approach, called one-vs-one (i.e., variables from one IMU-based signal were trained and tested using another IMU-based signal) was applied to determine the classification accuracy (i.e., similarities between IMUs) and variable importance (score ranges: 0.0-1.0) measures. These values were then used to select the variables that best independently describe the rank in classification margin. The results from each IMU sensor placement based on the fractal values showed ‘moderate’ accuracy (50-75%), with the exception of two cases: the left shank yielded ‘good’ accuracy (80.1%) compared with the right shank, and the right thigh generated ‘poor’ accuracy (48.9%) compared with the left foot. No IMU location showed excellent accuracy (>90%). The results indicate that each IMU placement location has their own fractal patterns that are not similar to another IMU location in terms of sex classification. The analysis of the variable importance in the classification margin showed that most of the PSD resulted variables were classified as ‘most important’ compared with the DFA resulted variables. IMU sensors, and the associated analyses, could be used during military load carriage to evaluate changes in gait resulting from injury, fatigue or overtraining.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in military populations and share numerous symptoms. Functional graph theory studies demonstrate altered small-world brain networks in mTBI and PTSD, but little is known about structural covariance networks or the potentially distinct topology of mTBI-PTSD comorbidity. The purpose of this study was to compare brain structural covariance networks in healthy active duty military service members (CON) to those with PTSD, mTBI, and mTBI-PTSD. Seventy-six service members (31 CON, 14 PTSD, 12 mTBI, 19 mTBI-PTSD) completed clinical questionnaires and structural magnetic resonance imaging scans. Cortical thickness-derived adjacency matrices were used to determine structural covariance network topologies. Pairwise comparisons for characteristic path length, clustering coefficient, modularity (global), closeness centrality (nodal), and local efficiency were made across a range of network densities (5-35%) using non-parametric permutation tests. All clinical groups showed greater levels of arousal, stress, anxiety, and depression compared with CON. Global network analysis revealed greater clustering and local efficiency in PTSD compared with CON, whereas nodal analysis indicated altered path lengths and closeness centrality in fronto-limbic areas with mTBI-PTSD. Global and nodal graph outcomes suggest distinct pathophysiological manifestations of mTBI, PTSD, and mTBI-PTSD in structural brain networks. Greater network segregation and nodal differences in fronto-limbic areas may be tied to emotional fluctuations.

Despite ample evidence that females are weaker and possess smaller muscle cross-sectional areas (CSAs) compared to males, it remains unclear if there are sex-related differences in the properties of motor units (MU). Eleven males (age 22 ± 3 years) and 12 females (age 21 ± 1 years) performed isometric trapezoid muscle actions at 10% and 70% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Surface electromyography signals were recorded and decomposed into MU action potential (AP) waveforms and firing instances. Average MUAP amplitudes (MUAPAMPS), mean firing rates (MFRs), initial firing rates (IFRs), and recruitment thresholds (RT) were calculated for the 10% MVC, while MUAPAMPS, IFRs, and MFRs were regressed against RT for the 70% MVC. Ultrasonography was used to measure CSA of the first dorsal interosseous (FDI). Males had greater CSAs (p 0.05) during the 10% MVC. For the 70% MVC, the y-intercepts from the MUAPAMPS vs. RT relationships were greater (p 0.05) in the slopes. Therefore, smaller CSAs and weaker MVCs are likely the result of smaller higher-threshold MUs for females.

This study examined motor unit (MU) firing rates during a prolonged isometric contraction of the vastus lateralis (VL) for females and males.Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals were recorded from the VL for eleven females and twelve males during a 45-second isometric trapezoid muscle actions at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). For each MU, mean firing rate (MFR) was calculated for the initial and final 10-second epochs of the steady torque segment and regressed against recruitment threshold (RT, expressed as %MVC), as well as time at recruitment (TSignificant differences existed across epochs for the y-intercepts (P=0.009) of the MFR vs. TAnalysis method may impact interpretation of firing rate behavior; increases in MU firing rates across a prolonged isometric contraction were observed in the MFR vs. T

Ultra-short-term (UST;5 min) heart rate variability (HRV) is increasingly used to indirectly assess autonomic nervous system modulation and physical health. However, UST HRV estimates may vary with measurement technique, physiological state, and data preprocessing. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the information content of UST HRV and its sensitivity to different physiological states and preprocessing techniques. 26 time, frequency, and non-linear HRV measures were determined in 80 healthy men (age: 22.1 ± 3.7 yr) and 25 women (age: 19.4 ± 2.8 yr) from 2-min ECG recordings during seated and standing rest, low-intensity exercise, and seated recovery after maximal exercise. For men, HRV measures obtained during each condition were further analyzed with principal component analysis, k-means clustering, and one-way ANCOVAs. Backward stepwise regression was used to determine the ability of UST HRV to predict aerobic fitness. The sensitivity of UST HRV estimates to different artifact correction procedures was determined with intraclass correlation coefficients. Compared with men, women displayed HRV characteristics suggestive of greater vagal modulation. Nearly 80% of HRV information content was distilled into three principal components comprised of similar measures across conditions. K-means clusters varied in composition and HRV characteristics but not aerobic fitness, which was best predicted by HRV during standing rest. HRV estimates differed depending on artifact correction procedures but were generally similar after individualized correction. Our results indicate that UST HRV measures display redundancy but convey state-specific information and do not strongly predict aerobic fitness in healthy men. Most UST HRV measures are robust to slight differences in artifact correction procedures.

Previous investigations analyzing resistance training’s influence on motor unit (MU) firing rates have yielded mixed results. These mixed results may be clarified by concurrently measuring changes in MU size. Thus, this study analyzed whether post-training strength gains were due to increases in MU firing rates and/or sizes as measured indirectly via action potential amplitudes. Sixteen males (age = 20.7 ± 1.9 years) completed 8 weeks of resistance training, while eight males (age = 19.4 ± 2.5 years) served as controls. Vastus lateralis surface electromyography signals collected during submaximal isometric knee extensions were decomposed to yield an action potential amplitude (MUAPAMP), mean firing rate (MFR), and recruitment threshold (RT) for each MU. Each contraction’s average MFR and MUAPAMP, and coefficients of the linear (y-intercept and slope) MUAPAMP-RT, linear MFR-RT and exponential (A and B terms) MFR–MUAPAMP relationships were analyzed. Firing instances and action potentials were validated via reconstruct-and-test and spike-triggered averaging procedures. Vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (CSA) was analyzed with ultrasonography. Resistance training increased isometric strength from 204.6 ± 34.9 to 239.8 ± 36.3 Nm and vastus lateralis CSA from 28.7 ± 4.7 to 34.0 ± 5.0 cm2. Resistance training did not affect MFR–RT relationship parameters or average MFRs but did increase the slopes of the MUAPAMP–RT relationships (0.0067 ± 0.0041 to 0.0097 ± 0.0045 mV/%MVC) and average MUAPAMPs from 0.189 ± 0.093 to 0.249 ± 0.127 mV. MU hypertrophy altered the MFR–MUAPAMP relationships (B terms: − 3.63 ± 1.40 to − 2.66 ± 1.38 pps/mV). Resistance training induced MU and muscle hypertrophy, but did not alter firing rates. Greater MU twitch forces resulting from larger MUs firing at pre-training rates likely explain resistance training strength gains.

The purpose of this study was to examine possible differences in motor unit action potential amplitudes (MUAPAMPS) and firing rates of the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) in male and female children aged 8–10 years. Eight male (mean ± SD, age = 8.8 ± 0.7 yrs; BMI = 16.5 ± 1.3 kg/m2) and eight female (age = 9.3 ± 0.9 yrs; BMI = 16.1 ± 1.5 kg/m2) children volunteered to complete isometric trapezoidal muscle actions of the first dorsal interosseous at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Electromyographic signals were decomposed to yield MUAPAMPS and mean firing rates (MFR) at the targeted force. An exponential model was fitted to the MUAPAMPS vs. recruitment threshold (RT) while linear models were fitted to the MFRs vs. RT relationships for each subject. Ultrasonography determined the muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of the FDI. Independent samples t-tests were used to examine possible differences between the male and female children for MVC strength, CSA, and the coefficients from the MU relationships. There were no differences in MVC strength, CSA, or the MUAPAMP vs. RT relationships between the male and female children (P

It remains unclear if the sizes of higher-threshold motor units (MU) are associated with muscular strength and power. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine sex-related differences in muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA), percent myosin heavy chain (%MHC) isoform expression, and the MU action potential amplitudes (MUAPAMPS)-recruitment threshold (RT) relationships of the vastus lateralis and isometric peak torque, isokinetic peak torque and mean power at 1.05 rad·s−1 of the leg extensors. Surface electromyographic decomposition techniques were used to quantify MUAPAMPS recorded during isometric muscle actions at 70% of maximal voluntary contractions and regressed against RTs with the slopes calculated. Ultrasound images were used to measure mCSA. Males had greater slopes from the MUAPAMP-RT relationship than the females (P

Changes in motor unit (MU) activity pre- to post-interventions is of high interest. However, there is minimal information regarding day-to-day changes or the reliability of measuring MU activity. This study examined the reliability of relationships calculated via the MU action potential (AP) trains derived from surface electromyography signal decomposition. A comparison between reliability statistics was made between MUAP trains verified with only the reconstruct-and-test versus verification including reconstruct-and-test with spike trigger average (STA) procedures.Twenty-one individuals performed isometric muscle actions at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction of the first dorsal interosseous on two separate visits. MUs included for reliability analyses initially met the 90% accuracy from the reconstruct-and-test. STA was applied as an additional exclusionary procedure. Linear regressions were applied to the firing rate and AP amplitude versus recruitment threshold relationships with and without MUs that met the STA criteria. Reliability statistics were also performed on relationships that met a strict range of recruitment thresholds. Reliability was established with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) along with other traditional parameters.The firing rate versus recruitment threshold relationships were reliable (ICC 0.56) and improved (ICC 0.84) when recruitment ranges were controlled. The slopes of the MUAP amplitude versus recruitment threshold relationships were reliable (ICC 0.78) while the y-intercepts were reliable (ICC 0.81) once corrections were made to combat negative scores.Electromyographic signal decomposition without the secondary STA verification procedures can be used to detect intervention-related changes in neural drive with confidence when recorded MU recruitment thresholds are similar across days.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used to examine lower extremity corticospinal excitability (CSE) in clinical and sports research. Because CSE is task-specific, there is growing emphasis on the use of ecological tasks. Nevertheless, the comparative reliability of CSE measurements during established (e.g. knee extensions; KE) and more recent ecological (e.g. squats; SQT) lower extremity tasks has received less attention. The aim of this study was to compare the test–retest reliability of CSE, force, and muscle activity (EMG) during isometric SQT and KE. 19 right-footed men (age: 25 ± 5 yrs) with similar fitness and body composition performed SQT (N = 7) or KE (N = 12) on two consecutive days. Force and EMG were recorded during maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVC). Corticospinal excitability was determined in the dominant leg during light (15% MVC) contractions based on motor evoked potential (MEP) stimulus–response-curves (SRC). Test-retest reliability, absolute agreement, and consistency were determined for force, EMG, and SRC MEP maximum (MEPMAX) and rising phase midpoint (V50). As a secondary analysis, all outcomes were compared between groups with mixed-methods ANCOVAs (Task × Time, covariate: body-fat-percentage). Compared with SQT, KE displayed better test–retest reliability and agreement for MEPMAX whereas V50, force, and EMG were similarly reliable. Force (p = 0.01) and MEPMAX (p = 0.02) were also greater during KE despite a similar V50 (p = 0.11). Differences in test–retest reliability, absolute agreement, and between-group comparisons highlight the need to carefully select lower limb TMS assessment tasks and encourage future efforts to balance ecological validity with statistical sensitivity.

To examine the effects of 10 weeks of endurance cycling training on mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGParticipants performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and an isometric ramp up muscle action to 70% MVC of the knee extensors before (PRE) and after training at the same absolute pre-treatment submaximal torque (POSTCycling decreased MVCs from pre- (168.10 ± 58.49 Nm) to post-training (160.78 ± 58.39 Nm; p = 0.005) without changes in mCSA. The b terms were greater for POSTThe decrease in MVC and increase in MMG

In the military, gait cycle rhythms during loaded marching have been shown to be neither random nor regular but instead exhibit a fractal temporal composition. Through wavelet-based fractal analysis, this study aimed to identify the complex fractal behavior of the gait stride interval dynamics of men and women during loaded ruck marching. We used data on the acceleration and angular velocity signals in three orthogonal directions (medial-lateral [ML], vertical [VT] and anteriorposterior [AP]) acquired from inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors placed on six lower limb locations. To evaluate the stride-to-stride fractal patterns, we used wavelet transform and calculated the power spectral density (PSD). Thirty-three healthy adults (17 men and 16 women; age $=26.7\pm 5.9$ and $25.2\pm 4.5$ years, respectively) participated in this study and completed a 2-km best-effort loaded ruck (run or walk) marching task under field conditions. The results demonstrated that the acceleration signals from both the men and women are either anti-correlated or white noise $(0\leq\beta\leq 0.50)$, and this finding was observed across all directions. Most of the results from angular velocity signal was also found to be anti-correlated or white noise, with the exception that a few cases presented longrange correlation $(0.59\leq\beta\leq 1.0)$; for example, the angular velocity signal in the AP direction obtained from all six IMU placements showed a long-range correlation for both sexes. The fractal dimensions showed significant differences $(\mathrm{p}\lt 0.05)$ between the directions (i.e., ML vs. VT, ML vs. AP, and AP vs. VT) of both signals for both sexes. These results might be beneficial for detecting gait abnormalities in military men and women, which would help identify individuals at greater risk for injury and aid the evaluation of interventions, specifically designed to minimize said injury risk(s).

Isolated ginsenoside metabolites such as Compound K (CK) are of increasing interest to consumer and clinical populations as safe and non-pharmacological means to enhance psychomotor performance constitutively and in response to physical or cognitive stress. Nevertheless, the influence of CK on behavioral performance and EEG measures of cortical activity in humans is undetermined. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced within-group study, dose-dependent responses to CK (placebo, 160 and 960 mg) were assessed after 2 weeks of supplementation in nineteen healthy men and women (age: 39.9 ± 7.9 year, height 170.2 ± 8.6 cm, weight 79.7 ± 11.9 kg). Performance on upper- and lower-body choice reaction tests (CRTs) was tested before and after intense lower-body anaerobic exercise. Treatment- and stress-related changes in brain activity were measured with high-density EEG based on event-related potentials, oscillations, and source activity. Upper- (−12.3 ± 3.5 ms, p = 0.002) and lower-body (−12.3 ± 4.9 ms, p = 0.021) response times improved after exercise, with no difference between treatments (upper: p = 0.354; lower: p = 0.926). Analysis of cortical activity in sensor and source space revealed global increases in cortical arousal after exercise. CK increased activity in cortical regions responsible for sustained attention and mitigated exercise-induced increases in arousal. Responses to exercise varied depending on task, but CK appeared to reduce sensory interference from lower-body exercise during an upper-body CRT and improve the general maintenance of task-relevant sensory processes.

Previous investigations report no changes in motor unit (MU) firing rates during submaximal contractions following resistance training. These investigations did not account for MU recruitment or examine firing rates as a function of recruitment threshold (REC). Therefore, MU recruitment and firing rates in chronically resistance-trained (RT) and physically active controls (CON) were examined. Surface electromyography signals were collected from the first dorsal interosseous during isometric muscle actions at 40% and 70% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). For each MU, force at REC, mean firing rate (MFR) during the steady force, and MU action potential amplitude (MUAPAMP) were analyzed. For each individual and contraction, the MFRs were linearly regressed against REC, whereas, exponential models were applied to the MFR versus MUAPAMP and MUAPAMP versus REC relationships with the y-intercepts and slopes (linear) and A and B terms (exponential) calculated. For the 40% MVC, the RT had less negative slopes (p = 0.001) and lower y-intercepts (p = 0.006) of the MFR versus REC relationships and lower B terms (p = 0.011) of the MUAPAMP versus REC relationships. There were no differences in either relationship between groups for the 70% MVC. During the 40% MVC, the RT had a smaller range of MFRs and MUAPAMPS in comparison with the CON, likely because of reduced MU recruitment. The RT had lower MFRs and recruitment during the 40% MVC, which may indicate a leftward shift in the force–frequency relationship, and thus require less excitation to the motoneuron pool to match the same relative force.

Motor unit action potential size (MUAPsize ) versus recruitment threshold (RT) relationship analysis provides a non-invasive measure of motor unit (MU) hypertrophy; however, this method's ability to identify MU atrophy is unknown. This investigation sought to determine if MUAPsize versus RT relationship slope (APslope ) comparison could identify evidence of MU atrophy in older individuals. Surface electromyography signals were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) of fourteen young (YG, age = 22·29 ± 2·79 years) and ten older (OG, 61·0 ± 2·0 years) subjects during a 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) isometric trapezoidal muscle action. The signals were decomposed to yield a MUAPsize and RT for each MU. For each subject, the MUs recruited between 10% and 50% MVC were linearly regressed as a function of RT to calculate an individual APslope . FDI cross-sectional area (CSA) and echo intensity (EI) were quantified via ultrasonography. The mean APslope was lower for OG (0·033 ± 0·010 mV %MVC-1 ) than YG (0·056 ± 0·019 mV %MVC-1 ). OG and YG possessed similar CSAs (OG: 2·09 ± 0·31 cm2 ; YG: 2·08 ± 0·41 cm2 ); however, OG (53·25 ± 7·56 AU) had greater EI than YG (43·87 ± 7·59 AU). The lower OG mean APslope was due to smaller MUAPsizes of higher-threshold MUs, likely due to atrophy of muscle fibres that comprise those MUs. In support, similar CSA with greater EI indicated increased adipose and fibrous tissue and reduced contractile tissue in OG. Thus, MUAPsize versus RT relationship may provide a non-invasive measure of MU atrophy.

The effects of a recovery drink on overreaching induced by high frequency, high power resistance exercise was assessed. Resistance trained men were assigned to a supplemented (SUP, n = 8), placebo (PL, n = 3) or control (CON, n = 6) groups. All groups completed two weeks of familiarization training using the barbell squat. In week three, SUP and PL performed ten sets of five repetitions of speed squats twice daily, for a total of 15 training sessions. CON maintained their prior training schedule. Data were collected before week three (T1), after week three (T2) and after a week of recovery by training cessation (T3). During week three, SUP consumed an amino acid, carbohydrate and creatine monohydrate containing recovery drink immediately after each training bout. PL was provided a drink of similar appearance and taste but containing minimal nutritional value. At T2, both SUP and PL decreased mean squat velocity and power at 70% 1RM. Additionally, SUP and PL decreased muscle β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) expression by 61 and 83%, respectively. Increases in the ratio of nocturnal urinary epinephrine/β2-AR ratio (EPI: β2AR) for SUP and PL suggested impaired sympathetic nervous system sensitivity. SUP demonstrated a smaller decrease in β2-AR expression and a lower EPI: β2AR, suggesting the recovery drink attenuated the detrimental effects of overreaching on the sympathetic activity. In conclusion, high power resistance exercise overreaching can induce performance decrements and impair sympathetic activity, but these effects may be attenuated by supplementation.

NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? The influences of motor unit recruitment threshold and twitch force potentiation on the changes in firing rates during steady-force muscular contractions are not well understood. What is the main finding and its importance? The behaviour of motor units during steady force was influenced by recruitment threshold, such that firing rates decreased for lower-threshold motor units but increased for higher-threshold motor units. In addition, individuals with greater changes in firing rates possessed greater twitch force potentiation. There are contradictory reports regarding changes in motor unit firing rates during steady-force contractions. Inconsistencies are likely to be the result of previous studies disregarding motor unit recruitment thresholds and not examining firing rates on a subject-by-subject basis. It is hypothesized that firing rates are manipulated by twitch force potentiation during contractions. Therefore, in this study we examined time-related changes in firing rates at steady force in relationship to motor unit recruitment threshold in the first dorsal interosseous and the influence of twitch force potentiation on such changes in young versus aged individuals. Subjects performed a 12 s steady-force contraction at 50% maximal voluntary contraction, with evoked twitches before and after the contraction to quantify potentiation. Firing rates, in relationship to recruitment thresholds, were determined at the beginning, middle and end of the steady force. There were no firing rate changes for aged individuals. For the young, firing rates decreased slightly for lower-threshold motor units but increased for higher-threshold motor units. Twitch force potentiation was greater for young than aged subjects, and changes in firing rates were correlated with twitch force potentiation. Thus, individuals with greater increases in firing rates of higher-threshold motor units and decreases in lower-threshold motor units possessed greater twitch force potentiation. Overall, changes in firing rates during brief steady-force contractions are dependent on recruitment threshold and explained in part by twitch force potentiation. Given that firing rate changes were measured in relationship to recruitment threshold, this study illustrates a more complete view of firing rate changes during steady-force contractions.

Objective To examine twitch force potentiation and twitch contraction duration, as well as electromyographic amplitude (EMGRMS) and motor unit mean firing rates (MFR) at targeted forces between young and old individuals in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI). Ultrasonography was used to assess muscle quality. Methods Twenty-two young (YG) (age = 22.6 ± 2.7 years) and 14 older (OD) (age = 62.1 ± 4.7 years) individuals completed conditioning contractions at 10% and 50% maximal voluntary contraction, (MVC) during which EMGRMS and MFRs were assessed. Evoked twitches preceded and followed the conditioning contractions. Ultrasound images were taken to quantify muscle quality (cross-sectional area [CSA] and echo intensity [EI]). Results No differences were found between young and old for CSA, pre-conditioning contraction twitch force, or MFRs (P > 0.05). However, OD individuals exhibited greater EI and contraction duration (P Conclusions Lower levels of potentiation with elongated contraction durations likely contributed to greater muscle activation during the conditioning contractions in the OD rather than altered MFRs. Ultrasonography suggested age-related changes in muscle structure contributed to altered contractile properties in the OD. Significance Greater muscle activation requirements can have negative implications on fatigue resistance at low to moderate intensities in older individuals.

Nitrate-rich (NR) supplements can enhance exercise performance by improving neuromuscular function and the aerobic cost of exercise. However, little is known about the effects of nitrate on dynamic, multijoint resistance exercise.Fourteen resistance-trained men (age, 21.1 ± 0.9 years; height, 173.2 ± 2.9 cm: body mass, 77.6 ± 4.3 kg; squat one-repetition maximum [1RM], 127.5 ± 18.8 kg) participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover experiment. Subjects consumed an NR or nitrate-poor (NP) supplement for 3 days, performed a bout of heavy resistance exercise, completed a washout, and then repeated the procedures with the remaining supplement. Before, during, and after exercise, individual and gross motor unit efficiency was assessed during isometric and dynamic muscle contractions. In addition, we compared physical performance, heart rate, lactate, and oxygen consumption (VO2).Nitrate-rich supplementation resulted in lower initial muscle firing rates at rest and lower mean and maximum firing rates over the course of fatiguing exercise. Nitrate-poor supplementation was accompanied by increased mean and maximum firing rates by the end of exercise and lower initial firing rates. In addition, NR supplementation resulted in higher mean peak electromyography (EMG) amplitudes. Heart rate, lactate, and physical performance did not differ by treatment, but oxygen consumption increased more frequently when the NP supplement was consumed.Supplementation with an NR beetroot extract-based supplement provided neuromuscular advantages during metabolically taxing resistance exercise.

Motor unit (MU) firing rates of the vastus lateralis in children and adults were examined. Seven healthy adult males (mean ± SD, age = 21 ± 2.6 yrs) and six healthy male children (mean ± SD age = 8.8 ± 1.7) volunteered. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from 20% and 60% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). Surface EMG signals were decomposed into firing events of individual MUs and slopes and y-intercepts were calculated for the mean firing rate (MFR, pps) at steady torque vs. recruitment thresholds (RT) relationships for each subject. Muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) was measured, via ultrasonography, with specific torque calculated (MVC/mCSA). Adults possessed greater mCSA (p = .002; children = 11.5 ± 2.1 cm2; adults = 31.80 ± 12.15 cm2) and greater specific torque (p = .018; children = 4.63 ± 1.4 Nm/cm2; adults = 7.1 ± 1.8 Nm/cm2) compared to children. The y-intercepts were significantly (p

This study included spike trigger averaging (STA) procedures to examine the acceptability of the Precision Decomposition (PD) III derived motor unit action potential (MUAP) trains that met the >90% accuracy criteria from the reconstruct-and-test. MUs met the >90% accuracy criteria from the reconstruct-and-test with STA procedures then applied. Y-intercepts and slopes were calculated for the firing rate- and MUAP amplitude-recruitment threshold relationships. Gaussian noise (1% of the SD of the mean interspike interval) was added to the firing times with the changes in MUAPs quantified. A total of 455 MUs were decomposed with 155 MUs removed as a result of the reconstruct-and-test. Five additional MUs were excluded via the STA criteria. The MUAP waveforms deteriorated with the inclusion of Gaussian noise. There were differences in the derived action potentials amplitudes of higher-threshold MUs between the PD III algorithm and the STA procedure. There was excellent agreement among the slopes and y-intercepts between the relationships that included or excluded MUs that did not meet the STA criteria. There was good agreement between the MUAP amplitude-recruitment threshold relationships derived from the PD III and STA procedure. The addition of the STA procedures did not alter the MU-derived relationships.

Previous research has indicated greater muscle activation is needed for children (CH) to match relative intensity submaximal contractions in comparison with adults (AD). However, no study has compared motor unit (MU) firing and recruitment patterns between children and adults. Therefore, MU action potential amplitudes (MUAPAMP) and firing rates were examined during two repetitive submaximal contractions of the first dorsal interosseous in children and adults. Twenty-two children (age 9.0 ± 0.8 years) and 13 adults (age 22.9 ± 4.8 years) completed three maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) and two repetitive isometric contractions at 30% MVC for 40 s. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded and decomposed into action potential trains. MUAPAMPS, recruitment thresholds (RTs), and mean firing rates (MFRs) were calculated, and EMG amplitude was normalized (N-EMG) to MVC. For each subject and repetition, linear MFR vs. RT and exponential MUAPAMP vs. RT and MFR vs. MUAPAMP relationships were calculated. N-EMG (P = 0.001, CH = 56.5 ± 31.7%, AD = 30.3 ± 9.1%), MFRs regardless of RT, according to greater y-intercepts of the MFR vs. RT relationships [P = 0.013, CH = 31.1 ± 5.1 pulses per second (pps), AD = 25.9 ± 4.3 pps] and MFRs of MUs with smaller action potential amplitudes (P = 0.017, CH = 29.4 ± 6.8 pps, AD = 23.5 ± 3.5 pps), were greater for children. MUAPAMPS in relation with RT were similar between groups except the highest threshold MUs (RT = 28% MVC) were greater for the adults (1.02 ± 0.43 mV) than children (0.67 ± 0.24 mV) (P = 0.010). Muscle activation and MU firing rates were greater for children, which likely indicated a greater operating point of MU control in comparison with adults during an isometric contraction performed at a relative submaximal intensity.