Fatigue of mammalian skeletal muscle in situ during repetitive contractions

W. N. Stainsby, W. F. Brechue, B. T. Ameredes, D. M. O'Drobinak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

When the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle group of the dog is stimulated to contract repetitively for 30 min at frequencies high enough to generate V̇O2 levels at or near V̇O2 max, V̇O2 and mechanical performance decline with time. This decline with time is fatigue, and it occurs during twitch and tetanic contractions that are isometric or isotonic. There is oxidation of the mitochondrial electron transport system, and net lactic acid output is transient, ending after 20 min of contractions. Energy and substrate stores and intracellular pH are only moderately changed and do not appear to be well correlated with the development of fatigue. Blood flow through the muscle is well correlated with the development of fatigue and decreases as fatigue develops in a manner that keeps the blood arteriovenous O2 difference nearly constant. Changing the blood flow alters the rate of development of fatigue as an inverse relation, and this response does not appear to be related to changes in the availability of O2 in the mitochondria. Nerve-muscle transmission of excitation does not seem to be involved in the development of fatigue. Excitation-contraction coupling is well accepted to be at least part of the genesis of the development of fatigue. Metabolic limitations and control may affect excitation-contraction coupling by one or more changes in the internal environment. Blood flow affects this system by an unknown mechanism. The role of blood flow in fatigue deserves further consideration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)226-229
Number of pages4
JournalCanadian journal of physiology and pharmacology
Volume69
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Genesis of fatigue in muscle
  • Muscle V̇O
  • Muscle blood flow
  • Muscle fatigue

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology (medical)

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