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Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology 69.4 pp 685-691
© The Physiological Society 1984
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THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM VOLUNTARY IMMOBILIZATION ON THE CONTRACTILE PROPERTIES OF THE HUMAN TRICEPS SURAE

M. J. White 1, C. T. M. Davies 1, and P. Brooksby 1

1 MRC Muscle Group, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham

In four male subjects one leg was immobilized in a full leg cast for 2 weeks. Measurements of the contractile properties of both triceps surae were made before, during and after immobilization. There was a significant increase in the mean twitch time to peak tension (Tc) after 1 week of immobilization from 126 ± 10 ms to 143 ± 20 ms (P lang 0·05) and in the half-relaxation time (Tfrac12r) from 88 ± 7 ms to 107 ± 12 ms (P lang 0·01). There were no further significant (P lang 0·1) changes in the twitch characteristics during the second week of immobilization. The strength of a maximal voluntary contraction (m.v.c.) declined by 11% (P lang 0·05) after 1 week and 24% (P lang 0·05) after 2 weeks. Twitch tension, tetanic tension and muscle fatigability were not significantly altered during immobilization. Muscle (plus bone) calf cross-sectional area (A) was reduced by 5% (P lang 0·01) after 1 week and a further 3% (P lang 0·05) after 2 weeks. The Tc and Tfrac12r of the twitch, m.v.c. and A returned to control values within 2, 7, 4 and 14 d respectively. No significant (P rang 0·01) changes were observed in the mechanical properties of the triceps surae of the contralateral limb during the period of immobilization. The results suggest that short-term voluntary immobilization is associated with atrophy and a diminished capacity of the muscle to develop maximal voluntary force. The increased contraction time of the twitch may indicate a change in the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism of the muscle and the disproportionate decrease in m.v.c. in relation to A and tetanic tension a reduction in the central neural drive.

Submitted on October 13, 1983




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