Effects of Stochastic Resonance on Sensorimotor Performance during Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to assess the effects of stochastic resonance (SR) stimulation on sensorimotor performance during an episode of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Thirty four men (age: 21.3 (±2.6) years; height 1.78 (±0.06) m; body mass 72.3 (±7.4) kg (mean (±SD)) gave their informed consent to participate in this study.Sensorimotor performance (error in replicating a target force) of the knee flexors was assessed prior to, and at 0.5 and 48 h after (i) a treatment condition involving a single-leg EIMD conditioning of the non-preferred leg, with concomitant responses to (ii) randomised presentation of SR, no SR and placebo conditions. Results showed a significant ANOVA interaction for sensorimotor performance amongst factors of condition (control period; EIMD), time (pre; post 0.5 h; post 48 h) and stimuli (SR; no SR; placebo) (F [1.5,29.3] = 5.7; p < 0.01). While scores during an antecedent control period had remained relatively constant, the EIMD protocol had elicited increased error in replicating a target force for the knee flexors of the non-preferred leg over time (worsened sensorimotor performance) that had been most prominent at 48 h after exercise, but whose negative effects had been ameliorated under conditions of SR (5.6 ± 3.1% (no SR) versus 3.7 ± 2.3% (SR) (pre) and 10.3 ± 4.2% (no SR) versus 8.1 ± 5.1% (SR) (48 h), respectively; F [1,36] = 6.0; p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study has shown that SR conditioning-related increases in the sensorimotor performance of the hamstring muscle group led to some protection from performance loss following EIMD.

The Promise of Stochastic Resonance in Falls Prevention

“…Effects of stochastic resonance were also studied in the context of sensorimotor performance during exercise induced muscle damage. Gleeson (2017) studied how application of mechanical vibrations to the biceps femoris muscle influences sensorimotor performance of target force replication (Gleeson, 2017). The study showed that subthreshold mechanical vibrations compensate the negative effects of muscle damage and suggested that more efficient means of delivering stochastic resonance (e.g., functional electrical stimulation) would be needed to improve the effectiveness to enhancing sensorimotor performance under adverse conditions of exercise stress.…”