Leonardo Henrique Perinotto Abdalla’s research while affiliated with São Paulo State University and other places

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that neuromuscular fatigue influences the rate of torque development (RTD) in a similar manner to isometric torque. Nine men participated in this study and performed 5-min all-out isometric tests for knee extensors (KE) and plantar flexors (PF) muscles, to determine the end-test torque (ET) and the critical rate of torque development (critical RTD). Additionally, participants performed submaximal constant-torque tests to task failure for KE and PF muscles. Both maximal voluntary contraction and RTD exhibited hyperbolic behavior and reached an asymptote at the end of the 5-min all out isometric test with similar relative values (KE 29.5 ± 5.6% MVC and PF 50.9 ± 2.9% MVC and KE 25.1 ± 3.6 to 28.5 ± 4.4% RTD and PF 48.4 ± 6.5 to 52.4 ± 5.8% RTD). However, both % MVC and % RTD were statistically different between muscle groups (P < 0.05), even when normalized by muscle volume (P < 0.05). Torque and RTD after the constant-torque test were similar to the values of ET and critical RTD (P > 0.05), respectively. In this study, it was observed that neuromuscular fatigue affects RTD and torque similarly, with the magnitude of this effect varying according to the muscle size.

We previously reported that creatine supplementation improved intermittent isometric exercise performance by augmenting the total impulse performed above end‐test torque (total IET′). However, our previous analyses did not enable mechanistic assessments. The objective of this study was to determine if creatine supplementation affected the IET′ speed of recovery. To achieve this objective, we retrospectively analyzed our data using the IET′ balance model to determine the time constant for the recovery of IET′ ( τ IET′). Sixteen men were randomly allocated into creatine ( N = 8) or placebo ( N = 8) groups. Prior to supplementation, participants performed quadriceps all‐out exercise to determine end‐test torque (ET) and IETʹ. Participants then performed quadriceps exercise at ET + 10% until task‐failure before supplementation (Baseline), until task‐failure after supplementation (Creatine or Placebo), and until the Baseline time after supplementation (Creatine‐ or Placebo‐Isotime). τ IET′ was faster than Baseline for Creatine (669 ± 98 vs 470 ± 66 s), but not Placebo (792 ± 166 vs 786 ± 161 s). The creatine‐induced change in τ IET′ was inversely correlated with the creatine‐induced changes in both the rate of peripheral fatigue development and time to task‐failure. τ IET′ was inversely correlated with total IET′ and ET in all conditions, but creatine supplementation shifted this relationship such that τ IET′ was faster for a given ET. Creatine supplementation, therefore, sped the recovery of IET′ during intermittent isometric exercise, which was inversely related to the improvement in exercise performance. These findings support that the improvement in exercise performance after creatine supplementation was, at least in part, specific to effects on the physiological mechanisms that determine the IET′ speed of recovery.

New findings: What is the central question of this study? Does muscle size, maximal force and exercise intensity influence the recovery time constant for the finite impulse above critical torque (τIET')? What is the main finding and its importance? This study showed that muscle size and maximal strength have different influences on the parameters of the hyperbolic torque - Tlim relationship. Greater muscle size and maximal strength, as well as exercise at an intensity of 60% MVC, prolong τIET' during intermittent isometric exercise. Abstract: Muscle perfusion and O2 delivery limitations through muscle force generation appear to play a major role in defining the hyperbolic torque - Tlim relationship. Therefore, we aimed to determine the influence of muscle size and maximal strength on the recovery time constant for the finite impulse above critical torque (τIET'). Ten men participated in the study and performed intermittent isometric tests until task-failure (Tlim ) for the knee-extensors (KE 35% and 60% MVC) and plantar flexors (PF 60% MVC). The τIET' was determined for each of these Tlim tests using the IET'BAL model. The IET' (9738 ± 3080 vs 2959 ± 1289 N · m · s) and ET (84.5 ± 7.1 vs 74.3 ± 12.7 N · m) were significantly lower for PF compared to KE (P < 0.05). Exercise tolerance (Tlim ) was significantly longer for PF (239 ± 81 s) than KE (150 ± 55 s) at 60% MVC, and significantly longer for KE at 35% MVC (641 ± 158 s) than 60% MVC. The τIET' was significantly faster at 35% MVC (641± 177 s) than 60% MVC (1840 ± 354 s) for KE, both of which were significantly slower than PF 60% MVC (317 ± 102 s). This study showed that τIET' during intermittent isometric exercise is slower with greater muscle size and maximal strength. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

New findings: What is the central question of this study? Does creatine supplementation augment the total torque impulse accumulated above end-test torque (IET) during severe-intensity knee-extensor exercise by attenuating the rate of decrease in peak potentiated twitch torque (PT)? What is the main finding and its importance? Creatine augmented the IET and attenuated the rate of decrease in both voluntary activation and PT during severe-intensity exercise. The IET was related to the rate of decrease in PT. These findings reveal an important role for the rates of neuromuscular fatigue development as key determinants of exercise tolerance within the severe domain. Abstract: This study investigated the effect of creatine supplementation on exercise tolerance, total torque impulse accumulated above end-test torque (total IET) and neuromuscular fatigue development of the knee extensors during severe-intensity intermittent isometric exercise. Sixteen men were randomly allocated into Creatine (n = 8, 20 g day-1 for 5 days) or Placebo (n = 8) groups and performed knee-extensor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) testing, all-out testing to determine end-test torque (ET) and the finite torque impulse accumulated above end-test torque (IET'), and three submaximal tests at ET + 10%: (i) time to task failure without supplementation (Baseline); (ii) time to task failure after creatine or placebo supplementation; and (iii) time matched to Baseline after creatine (Creatine-Isotime) or placebo (Placebo-Isotime) supplementation. Creatine supplementation significantly increased the time to task failure (Baseline = 572 ± 144 s versus Creatine = 833 ± 221 s) and total IET (Baseline = 5761 ± 1710 N m s versus Creatine = 7878 ± 1903 N m s), but there were no significant differences within the Placebo group. The percentage change pre- to postexercise in MVC, voluntary activation, peak potentiated twitch torque and integrated EMG during MVC were not significantly different between Baseline and Creatine but were all significantly attenuated in Creatine-Isotime compared with Baseline. There were no significant differences in these variables within the placebo group. The total IET was significantly correlated with the rates of change in potentiated twitch torque peak (r = 0.83-0.87) and rate of torque development (r = -0.83 to -0.87) for the submaximal tests to task failure. These findings reveal an important role for the rates of neuromuscular fatigue development as key determinants of exercise tolerance during severe-intensity intermittent isometric exercise.

New findings: What is the central question of this study? What role do neuromuscular fatigue mechanisms play in resistance training-induced adaptations of the impulse above end-test torque (IET) after the training period? What is the main finding and its importance? IET and global and peripheral fatigue were increased after a short period of resistance training. Thus, resistance training-induced adaptations in neuromuscular fatigue seem to contribute to enhanced IET after the training period. Abstract: Short-term resistance training has a positive influence on the curvature constant of the power-duration relationship (W'). The physiological mechanism of W' enhancement after resistance training is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether one-leg maximal isometric resistance training influences (1) impulse above end-test torque (IET; an analogue of W') during a 5 min all-out isometric test; and (2) exercise tolerance (limit of tolerance, Tlim) and neuromuscular fatigue during severe exercise (i.e. above end-test torque; ET). Sixteen healthy active males participated in a 3-week unilateral knee extensor resistance-training programme, and 10 matched subjects participated as controls. The subjects were instructed to ramp up to 100% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) over 1 s, hold it for 3 s, and relax. Each repetition had a 2 s interval (10) and each set, a 2 min interval (3). MVC (18.6%) and muscle thickness (12.8%) were significantly improved after training. Significantly greater global (i.e. reduced MVC, 43.2 ± 13.5% vs. 58.9 ± 6.9%) and peripheral (51.7 ± 13.6% vs. 57.3 ± 15.3%) fatigue, IET (26%) and Tlim (92%) were obtained after resistance training. Moreover, both global (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) and peripheral fatigue (r = 0.55, P < 0.05) accrued during severe exercise were associated with IET. However, echo intensity, which reflects muscle quality, ET and central fatigue remained unchanged throughout the training period. No significant changes in the control group for any variable were observed. Resistance training-induced adaptations in muscle size and neuromuscular fatigue seem to contribute to enhanced IET and Tlim after the training period.

The objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that end-test torque (ET) (expressed as % maximal voluntary contraction; MVC) is higher for plantar flexors (PF) than knee extensors (KE) muscles, whereas impulse above ET (IET) is higher for KE than PF. Thus, we expected that exercise tolerance would be longer for KE than PF only during the exercise performed above ET. After the determination of MVC, 40 men performed two 5-min all-out tests to determine ET and IET. Eleven participants performed a further 4 intermittent isometric tests, to exhaustion, at ET + 5% and ET – 5%, and 1 test for KE at the exercise intensity (%MVC) corresponding to ET + 5% of PF. The IET (7243.2 ± 1942.9 vs. 3357.4 ± 1132.3 N·m·s) and ET (84.4 ± 24.8 vs. 73.9 ± 19.5 N·m) were significantly lower in PF compared with KE. The exercise tolerance was significantly longer for PF (300.7 ± 156.7 s) than KE (156.7 ± 104.3 s) at similar %MVC (∼60%), and significantly shorter for PF (300.7 ± 156.7 s) than KE (697.0 ± 243.7 s) at ET + 5% condition. However, no significant difference was observed for ET – 5% condition (KE = 1030.2 ± 495.4 s vs. PF = 1028.3 ± 514.4 s). Thus, the limit of tolerance during submaximal isometric contractions is influenced by absolute MVC only during exercise performed above ET, which seems to be explained by differences on both ET (expressed as %MVC) and IET values.