Quadriceps mechano- and electromyographic time-frequency responses during muscular contractions to volitional exhaustion.

INTRODUCTION: Surface electromyography (SEMG) and mechanomyography (SMMG) responses of the quadriceps during muscular contractions to exhaustion were computed and analyzed by analysis of variance and polynomial regression analyses.

METHODS: Participants performed maximum flexion-extension movements at 180°/s until volitional exhaustion, rested for 2 minutes, and then completed a second bout of movements until exhaustion. Torque and SEMG/SMMG median frequencies and amplitudes were examined at 9 points across repetitions completed.

RESULTS: (1) Torque decreased precipitously; (2) SEMG amplitude displayed an initial increase, then a steady decrease, and SMMG amplitude showed a continuous decrease; and (3) SEMG and SMMG median frequencies displayed a continual decrease over repetitions completed. Fractional polynomial and quadratic models explained the fatigue process with the highest precision.

CONCLUSIONS: Changes in electrical and mechanical properties of the quadriceps during fatigue reflect alterations in neuromuscular activation strategies and/or muscle wisdom. SEMG frequency modeled muscle fatigue more effectively than amplitude, whereas SMMG frequency and amplitude were equally effective.