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Knee extensor fatigability after bedrest for 8 weeks with and without countermeasure
Author(s) -
Mulder Edwin R.,
Kuebler Wolfgang M.,
Gerrits Karin H. L.,
Rittweger Joern,
Felsenberg Dieter,
Stegeman Dick F.,
De Haan Arnold
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20870
Subject(s) - medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , countermeasure , physical therapy , engineering , aerospace engineering
We analyzed the effects of gravitational unloading on muscular fatigability and the effectiveness of resistive vibration exercise to counteract these changes. Changes in knee extensor fatigability as a consequence of 8 weeks of horizontal bedrest with or without daily resistive vibration exercise were evaluated in 17 healthy male volunteers. Bedrest increased fatigability (% decrease in maximal voluntary isometric torque per minute exercise) from −7.2 ± 0.5 to −10.2 ± 1.0%/min ( P < 0.05), which was accompanied by a decline (of 52.0 ± 3.7%, P < 0.05) in muscle blood flow. Daily resistive vibration exercise training during bedrest prevented increases in fatigability (from −10.8 ± 1.8 to −8.4 ± 1.6%/min, P < 0.05), and mitigated the reduction in blood flow (decline of 26.1 ± 5.1%, P < 0.05). Daily resistive exercise may thus be suggested as an effective countermeasure during spaceflight and illness‐related prolonged bedrest to combat the detrimental changes in muscle endurance that result from gravitational unloading. Muscle Nerve, 2007