Quadriceps, muscle endurance, fatigue and recovery were evaluated in elite and novice rowers in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development and recovery from fatigue following several bouts of exercise. Baseline evaluations recorded the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) using a force transducer, muscle activation via the Interpolated Twitch Technique (ITT) and the compound muscle action potential (m-wave) from the electromyographic (EMG) signal. Contractile properties of the twitch, which included the peak tension (Pt), time to peak tension (TPT) and half-relaxation time (RT 1/2), were also recorded. The rowers then completed a 2500 meter simulated rowing race and the muscle was re-evaluated. Two successive standard fatigue protocols (SFP) followed with subsequent evaluations taking place after each SFP. The successive bouts of exercise caused the MVC to drop considerably. Results revealed that excitation-contraction (E-C) uncoupling was the major factor behind the development of fatigue in both groups due to the differential effects of fatigue and recovery on Pt versus MVC. Activation levels dropped minimally and m-wave amplitudes were unchanged from pre-fatigue levels. Elite rowers' quadriceps muscles demonstrated superior endurance during both SFPs, but to a lesser extent following the second SFP. These results suggest that possible metabolic differences in the environment of the muscle may lead to increased resistance to local muscle fatigue in elite rowers. This research study contributes to the current understanding of neuromuscular fatigue and adds to the physiological profile of athletes who participate in the sport of rowing.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.20253 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Di Spirito, Michele. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (School of Physical and Occupational Therapy.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001604931, proquestno: MQ44156, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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