Asymmetry of force fluctuation during low and moderate intensity isometric knee extensions

Percept Mot Skills. 2011 Jun;112(3):860-70. doi: 10.2466/15.25.26.PMS.112.3.860-870.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the asymmetry of force fluctuation during isometric knee extension at low and moderate intensities. 11 healthy men (M age = 21 yr., SD = 1) performed unilateral force matching tasks; sustained isometric knee extension at 20% and 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). During the tasks, a mechanomyogram was measured by an accelerometer arrangement placed on the vastus lateralis. Although force fluctuation was not significantly different between the two legs at 20% MVC, it was higher in the left (weaker) leg than in the right (stronger) leg at 30% MVC. A significant difference in mean power frequency of the mechanomyographic signal between the two legs was also observed only at 30% MVC. These results suggest that the asymmetry of force fluctuation during isometric knee extension was not statistically significant at low intensity; however, it was significant at moderate intensity. These differences in force fluctuation between intensities might be influenced by different motor-unit firing rates in active muscle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction / physiology*
  • Knee / physiology*
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Quadriceps Muscle / physiology*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Young Adult