FIT Exercise in 30d of ULLS-induced Muscle Disuse

Voluntary activation of the quadriceps will be assessed with electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve before, during, and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) using the interpolated twitch technique.

Electromechanical delay will be calculated as the time difference between the onset of electrical impulse and onset of torque development during femoral nerve stimulation. This will be measured before and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

Rate of Torque Development will be calculated as the change in torque divided by the change in time in the linear phase between 20 and 80% of peak twitch torque during femoral nerve stimulation. This will be measured before and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

Time to peak tension will be calculated as the time difference between the onset of electrical impulse and peak twitch torque during femoral nerve stimulation. This will be measured before and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

Peak twitch torque during femoral nerve stimulation will be calculated as the highest torque output immediately (approximately 200ms) following femoral nerve stimulation. This will be measured before and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

Relaxation rate will be calculated as the change in torque divided by the change in time during the relaxation phase of twitch following femoral nerve stimulation. This will be measured before and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

Post-activation will be calculated as the percentage difference in peak twitch torque in femoral nerve stimulation before and after a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

Firing rate of individual motor units of the vastus lateralis (VL) will be assessed with high density surface electromyography (EMG) using four-pin high density surface electromyography electrodes. Firing rate at 30, 60, and 90% MVIC will be reported. Motor unit firing rate will also be reported during static stance.

Participants will use a screen displaying real-time torque output. Participants will voluntarily increase torque (5 seconds), hold at a pre-determined torque level (10 seconds), and gradually reduce force back to resting (5 seconds) with the knee held in a fixed position. This test will be completed with a 10s isometric hold at 30, 60, and 90% of maximal voluntary isometric force.

Recruitment threshold of individual motor units of the VL will be assessed with high density surface electromyography using four-pin high density surface electromyography electrodes. Recruitment threshold will be measured during isometric ramp contractions of the quadriceps

Participants will use a screen displaying real-time torque output. Participants will voluntarily increase torque (5 seconds), hold at a pre-determined torque level (10 seconds), and gradually reduce force back to resting (5 seconds) with the knee held in a fixed position. This test will be completed with a 10s isometric hold at 30, 60, and 90% of maximal voluntary isometric force.

De-recruitment threshold of individual motor units f the VL will be assessed with high density surface electromyography using four-pin high density surface electromyography electrodes. Recruitment threshold will be measured during isometric ramp contractions of the quadriceps

Participants will use a screen displaying real-time torque output. Participants will voluntarily increase torque (5 seconds), hold at a pre-determined torque level (10 seconds), and gradually reduce force back to resting (5 seconds) with the knee held in a fixed position. This test will be completed with a 10s isometric hold at 30, 60, and 90% of maximal voluntary isometric force.

Muscle size will be measured by MRI. Anatomical MRI scans will allow for assessment of anatomical cross sectional area.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be used to assess muscle volume and fascicle length. Physiological cross-sectional area will be calculated as Muscle volume divided by fascicle length.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be used to assess anisotropic measures. A ratio of the diffusivity in the principal planes will be used to calculate fractional anisotropy.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be used to assess rate of water diffusion in three principal planes. We will report rates of water diffusion in three ways: 1) mean diffusivity (average rate in all three plane), 2) axial diffusivity (rate of diffusion along primary axis), and 3) radial diffusivity (rate of diffusion perpendicular to the primary axis).

cross-sectional area of the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris will be measured by ultrasonography

Panoramic views of the mid-portion of the VL will be measured by ultrasonography

Pennation angle of the mid-portion of the vastus lateralis will be assessed by ultrasonography

Maximal voluntary isokinetic concentric strength of the knee extensors/flexors and ankle dorsi-/plantar-flexors will be assessed at 60 deg/s

Maximal voluntary isometric strength of the knee extensors/flexors and ankle dorsi-/plantar-flexors will be assessed during a (10 seconds) maximal effort contraction.

Subjects will complete a VO2max exercise test on a stationary bicycle. Gas exchange and heart rate data will be collected continuously. Initial workload will be set at approximately 2 METS. Every three minutes, we will add more resistance to the pedals (~1.5 METS). Subjects will continue to pedal until they can either not maintain pedal speed (50RPM) or until a plateau in VO2 occurs. Pedal force for each limb will be assessed.

Gas exchange data from the aerobic capacity test (VO2, ventilation; VE, and VCO2) will be used to calculate ventilatory threshold during exercise

Gas exchange data from the aerobic capacity test (VO2, respiratory exchange ratio; RER, and VCO2) will be used to calculate substrate utilization (energy expenditure, carbohydrate use, and fatty acid oxidation) at varying exercise intensities

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) will be used to assess body composition. Subjects will lie supine and have small adhesive electrodes placed on the right hand, wrist, ankle, and foot. A small (imperceptible) electrical current will be delivered to one electrode and the amount of resistance to the electrical current will be used to measure body composition. Percent body fat will be measured. Muscle mass will be calculated using previously established formulae.

Subjects will complete a series of balance assessments while standing on one leg using a dual force plate system. Subjects will stand still on one leg for 15 seconds with hands on hips. This will be repeated on both legs with eyes open and with eyes closed in the shod and unshod conditions in random order. Postural sway area will be calculated as an index of postural control.

Subjects will complete a series of balance assessments while standing on one leg using a dual force plate system. Subjects will stand still on one leg for 15 seconds with hands on hips. This will be repeated on both legs with eyes open and with eyes closed in the shod and unshod conditions in random order. Mean Postural sway velocity will be calculated as an index of postural control.

Subjects will complete a series of balance assessments while standing on one leg using a dual force plate system. Subjects will stand still on one leg for 15 seconds with hands on hips. This will be repeated on both legs with eyes open and with eyes closed in the shod and unshod conditions in random order.

High density surface EMG sensors will be adhered to the skin over the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles with double-sided tape. Exponential functions will be fit to describe the relationship between motor unit firing rate and action potential amplitude on an individual manner to determine how firing rates of various motor unit pools relate to postural control.

heart rate measured

blood pressure measured at the arm

for 20 minutes electrodes will be placed on the skin of the chest and a respiratory belt will be wrapped around the chest and blood pressure will be taken at the arm. During the final 10 minutes, 5 minutes of regular breathing (minutes 11-15), and 5 minutes of controlled breathing at a rate of 12 breaths per minute will be done. Resting heart rate (throughout), respiratory rate (throughout) and blood pressure (min 15 and 20) will be collected.

a maximal-effort exercise test on a stationary bicycle will be done. Immediately upon finishing the cycling, participants will rest on the bike for 5 minutes while remaining as still as possible. Heart rate will be collected throughout the this time to give a measure of heart rate recovery