Evaluation of alternating consecutive maximum contractions as an alternative test of neuromuscular function

Bozic, Predrag R.; Pažin, Nemanja; Berjan, Bobana; Jarić, Slobodan

doi:10.1007/s00421-011-2106-x

Cited by 9 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…We conducted the sample size estimate based on the external and concurrent validity of ACMC observed in previous studies (11,12). According to standard guidelines (13) with power of 0.8 and an alpha level of 0.05, the sample sizes were 22 (11) and 14 (12) for external validity, and between 3 and 17 for the concurrent validity (12).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to standard guidelines (13) with power of 0.8 and an alpha level of 0.05, the sample sizes were 22 (11) and 14 (12) for external validity, and between 3 and 17 for the concurrent validity (12). Therefore, we conservatively tested sixteen female (age 23.5 ± 3.5 years; body mass 53.7 ± 7.0 kg; height 162.4 ± 5.5 cm; BMI 21.7 ± 2.3) and 13 male (24.8 ± 2.9 years; 79.2 ± 9.7 kg; 180.5 ± 5.8 cm; BMI 24.3 ± 1.9) college students.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the frequency of the alternating maximum contractions could be considered as self-selected (12). The trial duration covered at least eight full periods of ACMC force.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(12). A typical outcome was a quasi-sinusoidal force profile that allows for the assessment of the maximum T and RTD in direction of both the knee flexion and knee extension.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The torque profiles not only revealed relatively stable values of T and RTD within the evaluated frequency interval, but also proved to be highly reliable. They also revealed both a moderate external validity regarding the prediction of various functional performances and ability to detect the differences among the individuals with different levels of physical fitness (12). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Novel Tests of Neuromuscular Function Based on Brief Muscle Actions

Bozic

Çelik

Uygur

et al. 2013

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Although widely used, the standard strength test (SST) is known to provide moderate correlations with functional measures, while being based on sustained maximum forces and a relatively large number of trials. The aim of the present study was to compare the concurrent (with respect to SST) and external validity (with respect to the standard balance and maximum power output tests) of two alternate tests of neuromuscular function based on brief isometric actions. The first test provides a slope between the rates of torque development (RTD) and peak torques (T) measured from a number of consecutive rapid actions performed across a wide range of T levels (brief force pulses; BFP). The second test (alternating consecutive maximum contractions; ACMC) provides T and RTD from multiple cycles of rapid alternating maximum actions of two antagonistic muscle groups. The results obtained from 29 young and healthy subjects revealed moderate-to-high concurrent validity of ACMC (median r=0.56; p<0.05) and its similar, if not higher external validity than SST. Conversely, both the concurrent and external validity of BFP appeared to be relatively low (r=0.23; p>0.05). Since ACMC could also have advantage over SST by being based on somewhat lower and transitional muscle forces exerted and fewer trials are needed for testing two antagonistic muscles, we conclude that ACMC could be considered as either an alternative or complementary test to SST for testing the ability for rapid exertion of maximum forces. Conversely, BFP may offer a measure of the neuromuscular system ‘as a whole’ that is complementary to SST by providing outcomes that are relatively independent of muscle size and function.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the frequency of the alternating maximum contractions could be considered as self-selected (12). The trial duration covered at least eight full periods of ACMC force.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(12). A typical outcome was a quasi-sinusoidal force profile that allows for the assessment of the maximum T and RTD in direction of both the knee flexion and knee extension.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Evaluation of Novel Tests of Neuromuscular Function Based on Brief Muscle Actions

Bozic

Çelik

Uygur

et al. 2013

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Relationships among the muscle strength properties as assessed through various tests and variables

Prebeg¹,

Čuk²,

Suzović³

et al. 2013

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

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We tested the hypotheses that the individual strength properties depend on the applied test and the variable extracted, rather than on the muscle group tested. Flexor and extensor muscles acting in the knee and elbow joint were tested in 58 participants. The standard strength test (SST; based on sustained maximum contraction) and alternating consecutive maximum contractions (ACMC; alternating contractions of antagonistic muscles) performed under static conditions were separately applied to provide the maximum force (F) and the rate of force development (RFD) of each tested muscle. The principal component analysis applied on all 16 variables revealed 3 factors that explained 85.5% of the total variance. Contrary to our hypotheses, the individual factors were loaded with the variables recorded from individual muscles, rather than with either the particular variables or tests. The present findings suggest that recording both F and RFD in routine strength testing procedures could be redundant since they may assess the same strength property of the tested muscle. In addition, ACMC may be a feasible alternative to SST since it could assess the same strength properties from two antagonist muscles through a single trial, while being based on relatively low and transient forces.

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Force-velocity Relationship of Muscles Performing Multi-joint Maximum Performance Tasks

2015

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Manipulation of external loads typically provides a range of force, velocity, and power data that allows for modeling muscle mechanical characteristics. While a typical force-velocity relationship obtained from either in vitro muscles or isolated muscle groups can be described by a hyperbolic equation, the present review paper reveals the evidence that the same relationship obtained from maximum-performance multi-joint movements could be approximately linear. As a consequence, this pattern also results in a relatively simple shape of the power-velocity relationship. The parameters of the linear force-velocity relationship reveal the maximum force, velocity and power. Recent studies conducted on various functional movement tasks reveal that these parameters could be reliable, on average moderately valid, and typically sensitive enough to detect differences among populations of different physical abilities. Therefore, the linear force-velocity relationship together with the associated parabolic power-velocity relationship could provide both a new and simplified approach to studies of the design and function of human muscular system and its modeling. Regarding the practical applications, the reviewed findings also suggest that the loaded multi-joint movements could be developed into relatively simple routine tests of the force-, velocity- and power-generating capacity of the neuromuscular system.

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Evaluation of alternating consecutive maximum contractions as an alternative test of neuromuscular function

Cited by 9 publications

References 45 publications

Evaluation of Novel Tests of Neuromuscular Function Based on Brief Muscle Actions

Evaluation of Novel Tests of Neuromuscular Function Based on Brief Muscle Actions

Relationships among the muscle strength properties as assessed through various tests and variables

Force-velocity Relationship of Muscles Performing Multi-joint Maximum Performance Tasks

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