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Neuromuscular fatigue in young and older men using constant or variable resistance

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine: (1) if different acute neuromuscular responses occur between constant versus variable external resistance machines, two commonly used resistance machines and (2) whether the potential differences in fatigability between young and older men influence the magnitude of acute response between these resistance machines. Twelve young men (28 ± 5 year) and 13 older men (65.4 ± 4 year) performed 15 × 1 repetition maximum and 5 × 10 repetitions isotonic knee extension resistance loadings with both constant and variable resistance (four loadings in total). Maximum isometric knee extension torque, superimposed twitch, resting twitch torque, maximal M wave properties, electromyograph, and blood lactate concentration measured the effects of loading. Concentric torque reduced to a greater extent during variable 15 × 1 versus constant loading in young men only (P < 0.05). While three out of the four loadings caused decreased voluntary activation in young men, only 15 × 1 using variable resistance caused reductions in older men (P < 0.05). 5 × 10 variable resistance loading significantly increased M wave duration and decreased EMG median frequency, which was not observed following constant resistance loading in both age groups. Acute decreases in force production were significantly greater in young men following all loading protocols (P < 0.05). Both young and older men showed indications of greater fatigue from variable resistance loadings. Differing muscle properties may have led to different magnitudes of fatigue between groups, and older subjects may benefit from specifically tailored training programs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the subjects for their efforts during this study. We also acknowledge the contribution of Pirkko Puttonen during data analysis. This work was funded in part by the Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä and by personal grants to Simon Walker from The National Doctoral Program of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Biomaterials, Finland and the Rector of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

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All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology of Physical Activity and Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35 (VIV), 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Simon Walker, Heikki Peltonen, Janne Avela & Keijo Häkkinen

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  1. Simon Walker
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  2. Heikki Peltonen
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  3. Janne Avela
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  4. Keijo Häkkinen
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Correspondence to Simon Walker.

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Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

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Walker, S., Peltonen, H., Avela, J. et al. Neuromuscular fatigue in young and older men using constant or variable resistance. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 1069–1079 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2526-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2526-2

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