Motor unit firing rates of the gastrocnemii during maximal brief steady-state contractions in humans

The human triceps surae (soleus, medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemii) is complex and important for posture and gait. The soleus exhibits markedly low motor unit firing rates (MUFRs; ∼16Hz) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) than other limb muscles, but this information is unknown for the MG and LG. During multiple visits, subjects performed a series of 5-7, ∼7-s plantar flexor MVCs with tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the MG and LG. During a separate testing session, another group of subjects performed submaximal isometric contractions at 25, 50, and 75% MVC with inserted fine-wires in the MG, LG and soleus.
Source: Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research