Training-induced improvements in knee extensor force accuracy are associated with reduced vastus lateralis motor unit firing variability.
Isabel A ElyEleanor J JonesThomas B InnsSíobhra DooleySarah B J MillerDaniel W StashukPhilip J AthertonBethan E PhillipsMathew PiaseckiPublished in: Experimental physiology (2022)
significantly improved in only the trained knee extensors by ∼13% (P = 0.01) and ∼30% (P < 0.0001), respectively. MU FR variability significantly reduced in the trained VL by ∼16% (n = 8; P = 0.001), with no further alterations to MU FR or neuromuscular junction transmission instability. Our results suggest muscle force control and tracking accuracy is a trainable characteristic in the knee extensors, which is likely explained by the reduction in MU FR variability which was apparent in the trained limb only.