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Cited by 354Muscle activation and electromyography studiesSports Performance and TrainingCardiovascular and exercise physiology

Training adaptations in the behavior of human motor units

Duchateau, Jacques, Semmler, John G., Enoka, Roger M.·2006·Journal of Applied Physiology
DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00543.2006
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Abstract

The purpose of this brief review is to examine the neural adaptations associated with training, by focusing on the behavior of single motor units. The review synthesizes current understanding on motor unit recruitment and rate coding during voluntary contractions, briefly describes the techniques used to record motor unit activity, and then evaluates the adaptations that have been observed in motor unit activity during maximal and submaximal contractions. Relatively few studies have directly compared motor unit behavior before and after training. Although some studies suggest that the voluntary activation of muscle can increase slightly with strength training, it is not known how the discharge of motor units changes to produce this increase in activation. The evidence indicates that the increase is not attributable to changes in motor unit synchronization. It has been demonstrated, however, that training can increase both the rate of torque development and the discharge rate of motor units. Furthermore, both strength training and practice of a force-matching task can evoke adaptations in the discharge characteristics of motor units. Because the variability in discharge rate has a significant influence on the fluctuations in force during submaximal contractions, the changes produced with training can influence motor performance during activities of daily living. Little is known, however, about the relative contributions of the descending drive, afferent feedback, spinal circui…

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  • At the beginning of a set with low-loads (e.g., 30% 1RM), lower threshold motor units associated with type I muscle fibers are recruited; as these motor units fatigue, higher threshold motor units associated with type II muscle fibers are recruited, ultimately resulting in recruitment of the entire motor unit pool.

    “At the beginning of a set with low-loads (e.g., 30% 1RM), lower threshold motor units associated with type I muscle fibers are recruited to lift the load (Duchateau et al., 2006). As these motor units fatigue, higher threshold motor units associated with type II muscle fibers will be recruited, ultimately resulting in the recruitment of the entire motor unit pool.”

    From The effects of low-load vs. high-load resistance training on muscle fiber hypertrophy: a meta-analysis. (2020) · cites this paper as Duchateau et al., 2006

  • When exercising with high-loads (e.g., 80% 1RM), the recruitment of all motor units occurs from the exercise's onset.

    “When exercising with high-loads (e.g., 80% 1RM), the recruitment of all motor units occurs from the exercise's onset (Duchateau et al., 2006).”

    From The effects of low-load vs. high-load resistance training on muscle fiber hypertrophy: a meta-analysis. (2020) · cites this paper as Duchateau et al., 2006

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Authors
Duchateau, J., Semmler, J. G., & Enoka, R. M.
Affiliations
Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
2006-12
Volume
101
Issue
6
Pages
1766-1775
ISSN
  • 0161-7567 (ISSN-L)
  • 8750-7587
  • 1522-1601
DOI
10.1152/japplphysiol.00543.2006
OpenAlex
W2144455306
Cited by
354
References
154
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 21
FWCI
9.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
  • Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG009000, AG-09000)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS043275, NS043275)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Keywords
motor unit discharge rate, motor unit synchronization, motor unit recruitment, rate coding, voluntary activation, resistance training, force-matching task, submaximal contraction
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Adaptation, Physiological, Humans, Motor Neurons, Muscle Contraction, Physical Fitness, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscle Fibers, Skeletal

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