Key result
Motor imagery of isometric thenar muscle activity at 50% maximal voluntary contraction significantly increased the relative F/M amplitude ratio compared to 10% contraction (3.45 vs 1.71, p<0.05).
Why the study?
Does motor imagery at 50% MVC increase spinal motor neuron excitability and cardiac sympathetic nerve activity compared to 10% MVC in healthy young adults?
Does motor imagery at 50% MVC increase spinal motor neuron excitability and cardiac sympathetic nerve activity compared to 10% MVC in healthy young adults?
Motor imagery at 50% maximal voluntary contraction increases spinal motor neuron excitability and cardiac sympathetic nerve activity more effectively than at 10% contraction.
Higher-intensity motor imagery may boost spinal excitability in healthy adults; leaves open effects on cardiac sympathetic activity or clinical translation.
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in spinal motor neuron excitability and autonomic nervous system activity during motor imagery of isometric thenar muscle activity at 10% and 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). [Methods] The F-waves and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio were recorded at rest, during motor imagery, and post-trial. For motor imagery trials, subjects were instructed to imagine thenar muscle activity at 10% and 50% MVC while holding the sensor of a pinch meter for 5 min. [Results] The F-waves and LF/HF ratio during motor imagery at 50% MVC were significantly increased compared with those at rest, whereas those during motor imagery at 10% MVC were not significantly different from those at rest. The relative values of the F/M amplitude ratio during motor imagery at 50% MVC were significantly higher than those at 10% MVC. The relative values of persistence and the LF/HF ratio during motor imagery were similar during motor imagery at the two muscle contraction strengths. [Conclusion] Motor imagery can increase the spinal motor neuron excitability and cardiac sympathetic nerve activity. Motor imagery at 50% MVC may be more effective than motor imagery at 10% MVC.
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Bunno et al. (2015) studied Healthy (n=9). Motor imagery at 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) vs. Motor imagery at 10% MVC was evaluated on Relative value of F/M amplitude ratio (motor imagery/rest) (p=<0.05). Motor imagery of isometric thenar muscle activity at 50% maximal voluntary contraction significantly increased the relative F/M amplitude ratio compared to 10% contraction (3.45 vs 1.71, p<0.05).
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