[Effect of the contraction of other muscle groups on muscle strength, latency period and endurance]

Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova. 1979 Aug;65(8):1144-52.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

The following investigation was undertaken in connection with Sechenov's idea on mutual influence of muscles performing different work. It deals with the influence on test muscle (TM) efficiency of other simultaneously working muscles (SWM). It was shown that tension of SWM or maintenance of complex postures exert a negative influence on the force and latency of the visual-motor reaction and the static effort endurance. The mechanism involved is external inhibition. After its extinction as a result of repeated combinations of both activities the degree of lowering of TM activity grows less and finally its improvement is observed as compared to data obtained in the absence of SWM contractions. It is suggested that when external inhibition is extinguished impulses arising in SWM reinforce and improve according to the law of dominant the functions of nervous centers regulating activities of the TM.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscles / physiology*
  • Posture
  • Reaction Time / physiology