Inhibition of maximal voluntary contraction force by experimental muscle pain: a centrally mediated mechanism

Muscle Nerve. 2002 Nov;26(5):708-12. doi: 10.1002/mus.10225.

Abstract

Muscle weakness frequently accompanies conditions with musculoskeletal pain. It is not clear if this attenuation of force is due to peripheral or central processes. The effect of experimental muscle pain on maximal voluntary contraction torque and peripheral contractile properties was therefore assessed. Experimental muscle pain reduced the torque produced by isometric knee extension, but the contractile properties assessed by twitch interpolation were not affected. This indicates that force inhibition by muscle pain is centrally mediated. This has clinical implications for rehabilitation and training of patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afferent Pathways / drug effects
  • Afferent Pathways / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology*
  • Muscle Weakness / pathology
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / pathology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Neural Inhibition / drug effects
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology*
  • Neurons, Afferent / drug effects
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology
  • Nociceptors / drug effects
  • Nociceptors / physiology
  • Pain / chemically induced
  • Pain / complications*
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Reflex / drug effects
  • Reflex / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects
  • Spinal Cord / physiology
  • Torque