The Time-Course of Acute Changes in Corticospinal Excitability, Intra-Cortical Inhibition and Facilitation Following a Single-Session Heavy Strength Training of the Biceps Brachii

Christopher Latella; Ashlee M Hendy; Alan J Pearce; Dan VanderWesthuizen; Wei-Peng Teo

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2016.00607

The Time-Course of Acute Changes in Corticospinal Excitability, Intra-Cortical Inhibition and Facilitation Following a Single-Session Heavy Strength Training of the Biceps Brachii

Front Hum Neurosci. 2016 Dec 1:10:607. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00607. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Christopher Latella¹, Ashlee M Hendy¹, Alan J Pearce², Dan VanderWesthuizen³, Wei-Peng Teo⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia.
² Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
³ Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University Footscray, VIC, Australia.
⁴ School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin UniversityBurwood, VIC, Australia; Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin UniversityBurwood, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Objective: The current understanding of acute neurophysiological responses to resistance training remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to compare the time-course of acute corticospinal responses following a single-session heavy strength training (HST) of the biceps brachii (BB) muscle and provide quantifiable evidence based on the super-compensation model in an applied setting. Methods: Fourteen participants completed a counter-balanced, cross-over study that consisted of a single HST session (5 sets × 3 repetition maximum [RM]) of the BB and a control session (CON). Single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure changes in motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, intra-cortical facilitation (ICF), short-interval intra-cortical inhibition (SICI) and long-interval intra-cortical inhibition (LICI). Additionally, maximal muscle compound wave (M_MAX) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the BB were taken. All measures were taken at baseline, immediately post and at 10, 20, 30 min and 1, 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h post-training. Results: A significant reduction in MEP amplitude was observed immediately post training (P = 0.001), while MVIC (P < 0.001) and M_MAX (P = 0.047) were reduced for up to 30 min post-training. An increase in MVIC (p < 0.001) and M_MAX (p = 0.047) was observed at 6 h, while an increase in MEP amplitude (p = 0.014) was only observed at 48 and 72 h. No changes in SICI, ICF and LICI were observed. Conclusion: Our results suggest that: (1) acute changes in corticospinal measures returned to baseline in a shorter timeframe than the current super-compensation model (24-48 h) and (2) changes in corticospinal excitability post-HST may be modulated "downstream" of the primary motor cortex (M1).

Keywords: corticospinal excitability; intra-cortical facilitation; intra-cortical inhibition; strength training; super-compensation; transcranial magnetic stimulation.