Reduced inhibition from quadriceps onto soleus after acute quadriceps
fatigue suggests Golgi tendon organ contribution to heteronymous
inhibition
Abstract
Heteronymous inhibition between lower limb muscles is primarily
attributed to recurrent inhibitory circuits in humans but could also
arise from Golgi tendon organs (GTOs). Distinguishing between recurrent
inhibition and mechanical activation of GTOs is challenging because
their heteronymous effects are both elicited by stimulation of nerves or
a muscle belly above motor threshold. Here, the unique influence of
mechanically activated GTOs was examined by comparing the magnitude of
heteronymous inhibition from quadriceps (Q) muscle belly stimulation
onto ongoing soleus (SOL) EMG at five Q stimulation intensities
(1.5-2.5x motor threshold) before and after an acute bout of
stimulation-induced Q fatigue. Fatigue was used to decrease Q
stimulation evoked force (i.e., decreased GTO activation) despite using
the same pre-fatigue stimulation currents (i.e., same antidromic
recurrent inhibition input). Thus, a decrease in heteronymous inhibition
after Q fatigue and a linear relation between stimulation-evoked torque
and inhibition both before and after fatigue would support mechanical
activation of GTOs as a source of inhibition. A reduction in evoked
torque but no change in inhibition would support recurrent inhibition.
After fatigue, Q stimulation-evoked knee torque, heteronymous inhibition
magnitude, and inhibition duration were significantly decreased for all
stimulation intensities. In addition, heteronymous inhibition magnitude
was linearly related to twitch-evoked knee torque before and after
fatigue. These findings support mechanical activation of GTOs as a
source of heteronymous inhibition along with recurrent inhibition. The
unique patterns of heteronymous inhibition before and after fatigue
across participants suggest the relative contribution of GTOs and
recurrent inhibition may vary across persons.