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. 2021 Feb 18;16(2):e0247099.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247099. eCollection 2021.

Effect of bilateral contraction on the ability and accuracy of rapid force production at submaximal force level

Yoichi Ohta  1
Affiliations

Effect of bilateral contraction on the ability and accuracy of rapid force production at submaximal force level

Yoichi Ohta. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The present study aims to clarify the effects of bilateral contraction on the ability and accuracy of rapid force production at the submaximal force level. Eleven right-handed participants performed rapid gripping as fast and precisely as they could in unilateral (UL) and bilateral (BL) contractions in a standing position. Participants were required to impinge a grip force of 30% and 50% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Ability and accuracy of rapid force production were evaluated using the rate of force development (RFD) and force error, respectively. The data analysis did not observe a significant difference in the RFD between UL and BL contractions in both 30% (420±86 vs. 413±106%MVC/s, p = 0.34) and 50% of MVC (622±84 vs. 619±103%MVC/s, p = 0.77). Although the RFD to peak force ratio (RFD/PF) in BL contraction was lower than in UL in 30% of MVC (12.8±2.8 vs. 13.4±2.7, p = 0.003), it indicated a small effect size (d = 0.22) of the difference between UL and BL in RFD/PF. The absolute force error of BL contraction was higher than of UL contraction in 30% (4.67±2.64 vs. 3.64±1.13%MVC, p = 0.005) and 50% of MVC (5.53±2.94 vs. 3.53±0.71%MVC, p = 0.009). In addition, medium and large effect sizes were observed in absolute force error from 30% (d = 0.51) and 50% of MVC (d = 0.94), respectively. In conclusion, results indicated that the bilateral contraction reduced in the ability and accuracy of rapid force production at the submaximal force level. Nevertheless, the present results suggest that the noticeable effect of bilateral contraction is more prominent on the accuracy than in the ability of rapid force production at the submaximal force level.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Experimental condition of the force exerts task of the bilateral contraction.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Example of the time course of force and rate of force development (RFD) measurements in bilateral contraction.
Arrows (↔) show force error.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Mean rate of force development (RFD) in right- (gray bar) and left-hand (dark gray bar) for bilateral and unilateral contractions.
Dot presents the value for each individual. (A) mean peak RFD of 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) target, (B) RFD variability of 30% of MVC target, (C) mean peak RFD of 50% of MVC target and (D) RFD variability of 50% of MVC target.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Mean rate of force development (RFD) to peak force ratio (RFD/PF) in right- (gray bar) and left-hand (dark gray bar) for bilateral and unilateral contractions.
Dot presents the value for each individual. (A) mean RFD/PF of 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) target, (B) RFD/PF variability of 30% of MVC target, (C) mean RFD/PF of 50% of MVC target and (D) RFD/PF variability of 50% of MVC target. * show main effect (p < 0.05).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Mean force intensity errors in right- (gray bar) and left-hand (dark gray bar) for bilateral and unilateral contractions.
Dot presents the value for each individual. (A) constant force error (CFE) of 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) target, (B) absolute force error (AFE) of 30% of MVC target, (C) variable force error (VFE) of 30% of MVC target, (D) CFE of 50% of MVC target, (E) AFE of 50% of MVC target, and (F) VFE of 50% of MVC target. * show main effect (p < 0.05).
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