Faculty Collaboration Database

Effect of hindlimb immobilization on the fatigability of skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 1983 May;54(5):1242-8

Date

05/01/1983

Pubmed ID

6863083

DOI

10.1152/jappl.1983.54.5.1242

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0020570217 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   47 Citations

Abstract

The soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of the rat were studied in situ (33.5 degrees C) after 6 wk of disuse atrophy produced by hindlimb immobilization (IM). IM resulted in depressed peak twitch (Pt) and tetanic (Po) tension as well as a decreased rate of tension development (+dP/dt) and decline (-dP/dt) in the slow-twitch SOL. The fast-twitch EDL was affected to a lesser extent, because only Po (g . cm-2) and Po,-dP/dt (g . cm-2 . ms-1) were depressed after IM. Twitch duration, as measured by contraction time and one-half relaxation time, was shortened in the SOL and prolonged in the EDL. In both the fast and slow muscles 30 min of electrical stimulation resulted in a significant decline in Po. Relative to the prefatigued Po, the atrophied and control muscles showed a similar fatigue pattern. This occurred in spite of lower ATP and glycogen concentrations and higher lactate levels in the atrophied muscles. Our results indicate significant impairment of contractile function following IM in fast and slow muscles with preferential alterations in the slow SOL. In addition, despite a lower resting capacity and an increased dependence on glycolysis, contractile properties of atrophied muscles differed little from control muscles in their pattern of response to 30 min of electrical stimulation.

Author List

Witzmann FA, Kim DH, Fitts RH

Author

Robert Fitts PhD Professor in the Biological Sciences department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adenosine Triphosphate
Animals
Female
Glycogen
Hindlimb
Immobilization
Lactates
Muscle Contraction
Muscles
Phosphocreatine
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains