The effect of paired associative stimulation on the speed-strength parameters of human voluntary movement

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Abstract

The successful performance of various coordination complexity sports’ motor actions is largely determined by the functional interaction between neurons of the primary motor cortex and spinal cord, realized through anatomical and physiological connections between these structures. In experimental studies, it was shown that such functional connections can be targetly changed using the method of paired associative stimulation (PAS). The main goal of our research was to determine the effects of the PAS with stimuli combining at the spinal motor neurons on the speed-strength characteristics of human’s voluntary movement. The study involved 10 healthy male subjects engaged in sports games, aged 18 to 22. The PAS session involved 100 pairs of associative stimuli combined at the spinal motor neurons. Corticospinal excitability using the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) method, the spinal motor neurons' excitability through transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), and the speed-force characteristics of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the shin muscles (plantar flexion) were recorded before and after the PAS. Data analysis showed PAS led to an increase in corticospinal excitability, an increase in the torque achieved during 50, 100, 150 and 200 ms of MVC, an increase in the rate of contraction and relaxation of muscles during MVC. These PAS session effects are probably due to the involvement of a larger number of fast motor units (MU) during MVC and an increase in the efficiency of inhibitory processes in the motor cortex during muscle relaxation.

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About the authors

S. M. Ivanov

Velikiye Luki State Academy of Physical Education and Sports

Author for correspondence.
Email: ivanov@vlgafc.ru
Russian Federation, Velikiye Luki

V. N. Shlyakhtov

Velikiye Luki State Academy of Physical Education and Sports

Email: ivanov@vlgafc.ru
Russian Federation, Velikiye Luki

R. M. Gorodnichev

Velikiye Luki State Academy of Physical Education and Sports

Email: ivanov@vlgafc.ru
Russian Federation, Velikiye Luki

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. (a) – average amplitude of responses of TA, GM and Sol muscles during selective TMS, tSCS and PAS (n = 10). (b) – sample of native recordings of evoked responses of the studied muscles during different variants of stimulation (10 stimuli in each variant). TA – tibialis anterior muscle, GM – medial head of gastrocnemius muscle, Sol – soleus muscle. TMS – transcranial magnetic stimulation (test stimulus 110% of threshold); tSCS – transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (test stimulus 130% of threshold); PAS – paired associative stimulation (110% TMS + 130% tSCS). * – significant changes (p < 0.05) relative to the amplitudes of responses to selective TMS and tSCS stimuli.

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3. Fig. 2. Effect of a single PAS session on the amplitude of TA, GM and Sol MEPs during TMS of the motor cortex (stimulus amplitude = 110% of the motor threshold). TA – tibialis anterior muscle, GM – medial gastrocnemius muscle, Sol – soleus muscle. * – significant changes (n = 10, p < 0.05) relative to the values ​​before stimulation.

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4. Fig. 3. Time to reach MVC, 50% of MVC, semi-relaxation and relaxation with 50% of MVC under the influence of the PAS session. * – significant changes (n = 10, p < 0.05) relative to the indicators before the stimulation effect.

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5. Fig. 4. The curve of increase in 50% maximal voluntary force (50% MVC) during plantar flexion of the foot under the influence of a single session of PAS (n = 10).

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