Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 56, Issue 6 1608-1613, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

EMG activity of slow and fast ankle extensors following spinal cord transection

M. A. Alaimo, J. L. Smith, R. R. Roy and V. R. Edgerton

Transformations of slow-twitch fibers to the fast-twitch type following spinal cord transection are thought to be related to a substantial decrease or virtual absence of neuromuscular activity. In this experiment, spontaneous activity levels in spinalized and normal cats, raised under similar conditions, were assessed by integrated electromyography (I-EMG) recorded for 240 min over 24 h from the slow-contracting soleus (SOL) and the fast-contracting lateral gastrocnemius (LG). In the SOL of the spinalized cats, there was a 75% reduction in total I-EMG and a 66% reduction in the total duration of muscle activity. Conversely, the LG showed no significant change in total I-EMG, but there was a 66% reduction in the total duration of muscle activity. Based on muscle property data published in companion studies, there was no significant correlation between the SOL total I-EMG and the reduction in contraction times or the decrease in the percentage of slow-twitch fibers determined histochemically. We conclude that transformations of slow-twitch fibers following spinal transection may be regulated by several factors, among which is the total level of spontaneous daily activity.

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