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Spinal modulations accompany peripheral fatigue during prolonged tennis playing
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Spinal modulations accompany peripheral fatigue during prolonged tennis playing

O. Girard, S. Racinais, J-P Micallef and G.P. Millet
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Vol.21(3), pp.455-464
2009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01032.x
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Abstract

To examine the time course of alteration in neural process (spinal loop properties) during prolonged tennis playing, 12 competitive players performed a series of neuromuscular tests every 30 min during a 3-h match protocol. Muscle activation (twitch interpolation) and normalized EMG activity were assessed during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of plantar flexors. Spinal reflexes and M-waves were evoked at rest (i.e., H(max) and M(max) , respectively) and during MVC (i.e., H(sup) , V-wave, M(sup) , respectively). MVC torque declined significantly (P<0.001) across the match protocol, due to decrease (P<0.001) in muscle activation and in normalized EMG activity. The impairment in MVC was significantly correlated (r=0.77; P<0.05) with the decline in muscle activation. H(max) /M(max) (P<0.001), H(sup) /M(sup) (P<0.01) and V/M(sup) (P<0.05) ratios were depressed with fatigue and decreased by ∼80%, 46% and 61% at the end of exercise, respectively. Simultaneously, peak twitch torque and M-wave amplitude were significantly (P<0.01) altered with exercise, suggesting peripheral alterations. During prolonged tennis playing, the compromised voluntary strength capacity is linked to a reduced neural input to the working muscles. This central activation deficit partly results from a modulation in spinal loop properties.

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1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.172 Sports Science
1.172.414 Training Optimization
Web Of Science research areas
Sport Sciences
ESI research areas
Clinical Medicine
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