Muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) after fatigue in elderly subjects.

Abstract

The changes in muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) and median frequency (MDF) during and after muscle fatigue were investigated in 9 younger (mean age: 29.3) and 7 elderly (mean age: 72.0) healthy subjects to determine if age has any effect on them. The surface EMG of the abductor digiti minimi muscle was examined at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) during a prefatigue session. The subjects were instructed to continue applying maximal force until the force declined to 50% MVC. EMG signals were measured during brief subsequent contractions at 50% MVC until 60 minutes after fatigue as a postfatigue session. The decrement in MFCV and MDF at 50% MVC before and after fatigue was 73.4%, 67.3% in the younger and 71.2%, 66.7% in the elderly subjects, respectively. MFCV and MDF recovered to initial value after fatigue more slowly in the elderly subjects (recovery time: elderly: MFCV 6.0 min., MDF 6.0 min.; younger: MFCV 2.77 min., MDF 3.00 min.) (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). The over-shooting recovery phase was recognized in both age groups, but the elderly subjects had a smaller and shorter one. The slower recovery in the elderly suggested that they possibly had less potential to recovery the membrane potential propagation, metabolic capacity and more type 1 fiber composition. The smaller and shorter overshooting in the elderly might be due to less increase of muscle swelling and/or less membrane hyperpolarization.