Abstract

Soleus Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) amplitude is affected by a training period and type and level of training are also well known to modify aerobic capacities. Previously, paired changes in H-reflex and aerobic capacity have been evidenced after endurance training. The aim of this study was to investigate possible links between H- and M-recruitment curve parameters and aerobic capacity collected on a cohort of subjects (56 young men) that were not involved in regular physical training. Maximal H-reflex normalized with respect to maximal M-wave (H(max)/M(max)) was measured as well as other parameters of the H- or M-recruitment curves that provide information about the reflex or direct excitability of the motoneuron pool, such as thresholds of stimulus intensity to obtain H or M response (H(th) and M(th)), the ascending slope of H-reflex, or M-wave recruitment curves (H(slp) and M(slp)) and their ratio (H(slp)/M(slp)). Aerobic capacity, i.e., maximal oxygen consumption and maximal aerobic power (MAP) were, respectively, estimated from a running field test and from an incremental test on a cycle ergometer. Maximal oxygen consumption was only correlated with M(slp), an indicator of muscle fiber heterogeneity (p < 0.05), whereas MAP was not correlated with any of the tested parameters (p > 0.05). Although higher H-reflex are often described for subjects with a high aerobic capacity because of endurance training, at a basic level (i.e., without training period context) no correlation was observed between maximal H-reflex and aerobic capacity. Thus, none of the H-reflex or M-wave recruitment curve parameters, except M(slp), was related to the aerobic capacity of young, untrained male subjects.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Piscione J, Grosset JF, Gamet D, Pérot C

Institution

Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Biomécanique et Bioingénierie, Compiègne CEDEX, France.

Source

Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquée, nutrition et métabolisme 37:5 2012 Oct pg 990-6

MeSH

Adult
Athletic Performance
Cohort Studies
Electric Stimulation
Exercise Test
H-Reflex
Humans
Kinetics
Male
Motor Neurons
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal
Muscle, Skeletal
Myography
Oxygen Consumption
Physical Endurance
Recruitment, Neurophysiological
Running
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22857019