A comparison of voluntary and electrically induced contractions by interleaved H-1- and P-31-NMRS in humans

in Journal of Applied Physiology (2003), 94(3), 1012-1024

Skeletal muscle voluntary contractions (VC) and electrical stimulations (ES) were compared in eight healthy men. High-energy phosphates and myoglobin oxygenation were simultaneously monitored in the ... [more ▼]

Skeletal muscle voluntary contractions (VC) and electrical stimulations (ES) were compared in eight healthy men. High-energy phosphates and myoglobin oxygenation were simultaneously monitored in the quadriceps by interleaved H-1- and P-31-NMR spectroscopy. For the VC protocol, subjects performed five or six bouts of 5 min with a workload increment of 10% of maximal voluntary torque (MVT) at each step. The ES protocol consisted of a 13-min exercise with a load corresponding to 10% MVT. For both protocols, exercise consisted of 6-s isometric contractions and 6-s rest cycles. For an identical mechanical level (10% MVT), ES induced larger changes than VC in the P-i-to-phosphocreatine ratio [1.38 +/- 1.14 (ES) vs. 0.13 +/- 0.04 (VC)], pH [6.69 +/- 0.11 (ES) vs. 7.04 +/- 0.07 (VC)] and myoglobin desaturation [43 +/- 15.9 (ES) vs. 6.1 +/- 4.6% (VC)]. ES activated the muscle facing the NMR coil to a greater extent than did VCs when evaluated under identical technical conditions. This metabolic pattern can be interpreted in terms of specific temporal and spatial muscle cell recruitment. Furthermore, at identical levels of energy charge, the muscle was more acidotic and cytoplasm appeared more oxygenated during ES than during VC. These results are in accordance with a preferential recruitment of type II fibers and a relative muscle hyperperfusion during ES. [less ▲]

Le reconditionnement physique du lombalgique chronique fréquentant une école du dos : expérience au CHU-Liège

in Actes du First International Symposium of the Belgian Back Society (2002, December)

Contribution à l'étude du métabolisme de la contraction musculaire électro-induite chez l'homme

Post doctoral thesis (2002)

Hamstring muscle strain recurrence and strength performance disorders

in American Journal of Sports Medicine (2002), 30(2, Mar-Apr), 199-203

We determined the frequency of strength disorders in 26 athletes with a history of hamstring muscle injury and recurrent strains and discomfort. We also assessed the effectiveness of rehabilitation to ... [more ▼]

We determined the frequency of strength disorders in 26 athletes with a history of hamstring muscle injury and recurrent strains and discomfort. We also assessed the effectiveness of rehabilitation to correct muscle performance. After concentric and eccentric isokinetic assessment, 18 athletes were found to have strength deficits, as determined by statistically selected cutoffs of peak torque, bilateral differences, and the flexors/quadriceps ratio. The discriminating character of the eccentric trial was demonstrated, combining a preferential eccentric peak torque deficit and a significant reduction of the mixed eccentric flexors/concentric quadriceps ratio. The athletes with muscle imbalances followed a rehabilitation program individually adapted from their strength profile. Treatment length was from 10 to 30 sessions and resulted in isokinetic parameter normalization in 17 of 18 subjects. Isokinetically corrected subjects were observed for 12 months after return to athletics. None sustained a clinically diagnosed hamstring muscle reinjury. Subjective intensity of pain and discomfort were significantly reduced, and they all returned to their prior level of competition. These results demonstrate that persistent muscle strength abnormalities may give rise to recurrent hamstring injuries and discomfort. An individualized rehabilitation program emphasizing eccentric training based on specific deficits contributes to a decrease in symptoms on return to sports. [less ▲]

Validation d'un test d'évaluation du comportement gestuel du patient lombalgique chronique

in Annales de Réadaptation et de Médecine Physique (2001), 44

Contribution à l'étude de la contraction électro-induite: particularités de l'énergétique musculaire et de la sommation spatiale

in Kine 2000 (2001), 12

Spatial Distribution of Blood Flow in Electrically Stimulated Human Muscle: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

in Muscle & Nerve (2000), 23(4), 482-9

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was studied with positron emission tomography (PET) and H(2)(15)O in the quadriceps muscle of 11 men. The subjects were submitted to simultaneous bilateral ... [more ▼]

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was studied with positron emission tomography (PET) and H(2)(15)O in the quadriceps muscle of 11 men. The subjects were submitted to simultaneous bilateral isometric contraction (5 s)-rest (5 s) cycles for 12 min, with a workload corresponding to 5% of quadriceps maximal isometric voluntary torque (QMIVT) for one thigh (5%T) and 10% of QMIVT for the other (10%T). Scans were centered at the electrodes and tissue blood flow (TBF) was evaluated in square regions of interest (ROIs) (3.5 cm(2)) in the transverse section (TS) of both thighs. The mean TBF reached 8.9 mL min(-1) 100 g(-1) in the TS of the 5%T and 11.5 mL min(-1) 100 g(-1) in the TS of the 10%T (P > 0.05). A negative linear relationship was found for both thighs between the ROI-electrode distance and the TBF (P </= 0.009). The mean percentage of activated ROIs (TBF > 5 mL min(-1) 100 g(-1)) was lower in the 5%T than in the 10%T (50.6% vs. 62.2%; P = 0.017). With NMES, the pattern of spatial recruitment appears linked to electrode proximity and is spatially extended. These results confirm the utility of combining NMES with voluntary exercise in the treatment of atrophied muscle. [less ▲]

Human Muscle Energetics During Voluntary and Electrically Induced Isometric Contractions as Measured by 31p Nmr Spectroscopy

in International Journal of Sports Medicine (1999), 20(5), 279-83

Electrical stimulation (ES) and voluntary contraction (VC) were compared in the quadriceps muscle of ten male volunteers. In both modes, a workload corresponding to 20% of maximal voluntary contraction ... [more ▼]

Electrical stimulation (ES) and voluntary contraction (VC) were compared in the quadriceps muscle of ten male volunteers. In both modes, a workload corresponding to 20% of maximal voluntary contraction was applied during 64 isometric contraction (5.5 s)-relaxation (5.5 s) cycles. The protocols were performed in a 1.5 T whole-body magnet. The Pi/PCr ratio and the intracellular pH (pHi) were monitored by 31P NMR spectroscopy during baseline, exercise and recovery periods, in a superficial region of the vastus medialis. During baseline, the Pi/PCr ratio (0.12 vs. 0.10) and the pHi (7.01 vs. 7.00) were comparable in both conditions. During exercise, the Pi/PCr ratio was higher (0.36 vs. 0.14) and the pHi was lower (6.85 vs. 7.07) during ES than during VC. For the same external work production, these results reflect a different metabolic solicitation in the ES quadriceps than in the VC ones. [less ▲]

Performance of a wheelchair-user population on a running progressive maximal field test

in Vanderwoude, L.H.; Hopman, M.T.; Vankemenade, C.H. (Eds.) Biomedical aspects of manuel wheelchair propulsion. The State of the Art II (1999)

A scintigraphic study of post-massage blood flow in human lower limb

in European Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (1999), 8(6), 159-162