The acute effects of whole-body vibration on motor unit recruitment and discharge properties

Lecce E, Nuccio S, Del Vecchio A, Conti A, Nicolo A, Sacchetti M, Felici F, Bazzucchi I (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Frontiers in Physiology Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 14

Article Number: 1124242

DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1124242

Abstract

Introduction: several studies have reported improved neuromuscular parameters in response to whole-body vibration (WBV). This is likely achieved by modulation of the central nervous system (CNS). Reduced recruitment threshold (RT), which is the % of Maximal Voluntary Force (%MVF) at which a given Motor Unit (MU) is recruited, may be responsible for the force/power improvements observed in several studies. Methods: 14 men (25 ± 2.3 years; BMI = 23.3 ± 1.5 kg m2 MVF: 319.82 ± 45.74 N) performed trapezoidal isometric contractions of the tibialis anterior (TA) at 35-50-70 %MVF before and after three conditions: WBV, STAND (standing posture), and CNT (no intervention). The vibration was applied through a platform for targeting the TA. High-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) recordings and analysis were used to detect changes in the RT and Discharge Rate (DR) of the MUs. Results: Mean motor unit recruitment threshold (MURT) reached 32.04 ± 3.28 %MVF before and 31.2 ± 3.72 %MVF after WBV, with no significant differences between conditions (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant changes were found in the mean motor unit discharge rate (before WBV: 21.11 ± 2.94 pps; after WBV: 21.19 ± 2.17 pps). Discussion: The present study showed no significant changes in motor unit properties at the base of neuromuscular changes documented in previous studies. Further investigations are needed to understand motor unit responses to different vibration protocols and the chronic effect of vibration exposure on motor control strategies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Alessandro Del Vecchio Juniorprofessur für Neuromuscular Physiology and Neural Interfacing

Involved external institutions

Università degli Studi di Roma "Foro Italico" IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Lecce, E., Nuccio, S., Del Vecchio, A., Conti, A., Nicolo, A., Sacchetti, M.,... Bazzucchi, I. (2023). The acute effects of whole-body vibration on motor unit recruitment and discharge properties. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1124242

MLA:

Lecce, E., et al. "The acute effects of whole-body vibration on motor unit recruitment and discharge properties." Frontiers in Physiology 14 (2023).

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