The effects of whole-body vibration amplitude on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and skeletal muscle oxygenation.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is an exercise mimetic that elicits beneficial metabolic effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of WBV amplitude on metabolic, inflammatory, and muscle oxygenation responses. Forty women and men were assigned to a high (HI; n = 20, Age: 31 ± 6 y) or a low-amplitude group (LO; n = 20, Age: 33 ± 6 y). Participants engaged in 10 cycles of WBV [1 cycle =1 min of vibration followed by 30 s of rest], while gastrocnemius muscle oxygen consumption (mVO2 ) was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Blood samples were collected PRE, POST, 1H, 3Hs, and 24H post-WBV and analyzed for insulin, glucose, and IL-6. In the LO group, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistant (HOMA-IR) at 3 h (0.7 ± 0.2) was significantly lower compared to PRE (1.1 ± 0.2; p = 0.018), POST (1.3 ± 0.3; p = 0.045), 1H (1.3 ± 0.3; p = 0.010), and 24H (1.4 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). In addition, at 24H, HOMA-IR was significantly lower in the LO when compared to the HI group (LO: 1.4 ± 0.2 vs. HI: 2.2 ± 0.4; p = 0.030). mVO2 was higher (p = 0.003) in the LO (0.93 ± 0.29 ml/min/100 ml) when compared to the HI group (0.63 ± 0.28 ml/min/100 ml). IL-6 at 3H (LO: 13.2 ± 2.7 vs. HI: 19.6 ± 4.0 pg·ml-1 ; p = 0.045) and 24H (LO: 4.2 ± 1.1 vs. HI: 12.5 ± 3.1 pg·ml-1 ; p = 0.016) was greater in the HI compared to the LO group. These findings indicate that low-amplitude WBV provides greater metabolic benefits compared to high-amplitude WBV.

Endurance of the Dorsal and Ventral Muscles in the Neck.

Endurance of the muscles of the neck are rarely studied. This study measured the endurance index (EI) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and upper trapezius muscles of the neck (trap). The vastus lateralis (VL) was used for comparison. Skeletal muscle endurance of twelve healthy subjects, age 19-22 years, were tested on their SCM and trap in random order on one day, VL was tested on a separate day. Participants were tested in the supine position for the SCM and VL muscles and the prone position for the trap. Muscle contractions consisted of a 5 Hz twitch electrical stimulation for 5 min. Muscle acceleration (resultant vector) was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. EI was the ending acceleration as a percentage of the maximal acceleration. The endurance index (EI) for the SCM, trap, and VL was 42.3 ± 13.0%, 42.3 ± 20.2%, and 92.9 ± 11.0%, respectively. The EI of the VL was significantly higher than the EI of the SCM (t(2,22) = 10.33, p < 0.001) and the trap (t(2,22) = 7.625, p < 0.001). The EI was not different between the SCM and the trap muscle (t(2,22) = 0.004, p = 0.997). In conclusion, the neck muscles had much less endurance than the muscles in the leg and could make fatigued athletes more susceptible to concussions caused by head impacts.

Interpretation of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Signals in Skeletal Muscle.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) uses the relative absorption of light at 850 and 760 nm to determine skeletal muscle oxygen saturation. Previous studies have used the ratio of both signals to report muscle oxygen saturation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the different approaches used to represent muscle oxygen saturation and to evaluate the pulsations of oxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin (O2heme) and deoxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin (Heme) signals. METHOD: Twelve participants, aged 20-29 years, were tested on the forearm flexor muscles using continuous-wave NIRS at rest. Measurements were taken during 2-3 min rest, physiological calibration (5 min ischemia), and reperfusion. Ten participants were included in the study analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in pulse size between O2heme and Heme signals at the three locations (p < 0.05). Resting oxygen saturation was 58.8% + 9.2%, 69.6% + 3.9%, and 89.2% + 6.9% when calibrated using O2heme, the tissue oxygenation/saturation index (TSI), and Heme, respectively. CONCLUSION: The difference in magnitude of O2heme and Heme pulses with each heartbeat might suggest different anatomical locations of these signals, for which calibrating with just one of the signals instead of the ratio of both is proposed. Calculations of physiological calibration must account for increased blood volume in the tissue because of the changes in blood volume, which appear to be primarily from the O2heme signal. Resting oxygen levels calibrated with Heme agree with theoretical oxygen saturation.

The influence of muscle length on gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscle oxygen saturation and endurance.

Increasing muscle length (passive stretch) has been shown to reduce muscle oxygen levels by increasing intramuscular pressure. PURPOSE: To measure the effect of passive stretch on muscle-specific endurance and oxygen saturation in the vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius muscle groups. METHODS: Muscle Endurance (EI), Muscle blood flow (MBF), and Muscle oxygen saturation (MVO2) were measured on the vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius muscles in a passive stretched (lengthened) and relaxed (shortened) positions in 10 healthy individuals (21 ±â€¯1 yrs.). Muscle endurance was measured with tri-axial accelerometer. Muscle oxygen saturation and blood flow were measured using a continuous wavelength Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). RESULTS: Muscle at stretched position showed a lower endurance index in the gastrocnemius (51 ±â€¯9.6% versus 77 ±â€¯9.1%, p = 0.008) and vastus lateralis (54 ±â€¯8.9% versus 75 ±â€¯9.6%, p < 0.001). The time to half recovery of oxygen levels during reactive hyperemia was slower in the stretched positions for the gastrocnemius (11.4 ±â€¯1.0 s versus 8.2 ±â€¯1.1 s, p < 0.001) and the vastus lateralis (9.8 ±â€¯1.9 s versus 6.3 ±â€¯0.7 s, p < 0.001). However, oxygen saturation during the endurance tests were not different between stretched and relaxed conditions in both muscle (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Studies of muscle endurance need to control for muscle length as changes in muscle length can influence muscle endurance.

Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscles Function in Subjects with Prior ACL Reconstruction Surgery.

BACKGROUND: As the knee joint is a common site for injury among younger people, the purpose of this study was to measure the skeletal muscle endurance and strength on people with prior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee reconstruction surgery. METHOD: Young healthy female subjects who reported having knee reconstruction surgery more than one-year prior were tested. The skeletal muscle endurance index (EI) of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles was determined as the decline in the specific muscle acceleration in response to 2 Hz, 4 Hz, and 6 Hz electrical stimulation. Maximal isometric muscle strength (MVC) was measured in the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles. RESULTS: The hamstrings muscles in the injured leg had less endurance than the non-injured leg at 6 Hz stimulation (55.5 ± 13.2% versus 78.0 ± 13.3%, p < 0.01). Muscle endurance was not reduced in the quadriceps muscles in the injured leg compared to the non-injured leg at 6 Hz stimulation (78.0 ± 13.3% versus 80.3 ± 10.0%, p = 0.45). There were no differences in MVC between the injured and non-injured legs for either the hamstrings (p = 0.20) or quadriceps muscles (p = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Muscle endurance was reduced in the hamstrings muscles at least one-year post injury, while hamstrings strength was recovered. Reduced hamstrings muscle endurance could be a result of lack of endurance training during rehabilitation. This may contribute to re-injury in the muscle, even in people who have recovered muscle strength.