Mechanomyographic signals generated during unfused tetani of single motor units in the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle

The aim of this study was to investigate mechanomyograms (MMGs) accompanying unfused tetani of fast fatigable (FF), fast fatigue-resistant (FR) and slow (S) motor units. Signals in the MMG were analyzed during tetanus, which was fused to a variable degree, evoked by electrical stimulation at three frequencies: 20, 40 and 80 Hz. Unfused tetani were characterized by an oscillating tension. Each oscillation in the tension of an unfused contraction was reflected by a parallel pressure wave signal in the MMG. The mean peak-to-peak amplitude of signals in the MMG, the amplitude of oscillation in the tension, the velocity of the tension increase and the fusion index were calculated for the unfused tetanic contraction. The increase in stimulation frequency resulted in an increase in the peak tension, an increase in the fusion of the tetanus, a decrease in the amplitude of force oscillation in the unfused contraction and a decrease in the peak-to-peak amplitude of signals in the MMG. Moreover, it was found that the MMG amplitude was correlated with the amplitude of the three analyzed properties of the unfused contraction. It is concluded that the amplitude of signals in MMGs depends mainly on the dynamic properties of the tetanic contraction, whereas the static component of the contraction (i.e., the level around which the tension oscillates) is not reflected in the MMG.