The effect of postactivation potentiation on the mechanomyogram

To examine whether postactivation potentiation (PAP) was related to changes in the electromyogram (EMG) and in the mechanomyogram (MMG), evoked twitch torque properties were compared before and after a 10 s plantar flexion MVC in ten male subjects. Peak twitch torque (Pt), and the peak acceleration of the twitch torque development (d2T/dt2) were measured from electrical tibial nerve stimulation. In addition, from the medial gastrocnemius muscle, peak to peak MMG (p-p MMG) by means of accelerometer, and peak to peak EMG (M-wave) amplitudes were recorded. Immediately (2 s) following the MVC there were significant increases in Pt (47%), d2T/dt2 (86%), and p-p MMG (70%), but no change in the M-wave. At 2 s, 15 s, 30 s after the MVC, individual percent changes in p-p MMG were significantly and positively correlated with individual percent changes in both Pt and d2T/dt2. These results indicate that evoked MMG reflects acute enhanced force output elicited by PAP, and that the increases in twitch contraction properties represent intrinsic mechanical changes of the muscle, that are not associated with electrical changes. Furthermore, measurements of the evoked p-p MMG signal following PAP support the utility of describing the gross lateral movement phase of the MMG signal.