Reflex origin for the slowing of motoneurone firing rates in fatigue of human voluntary contractions.

During fatigue from a sustained maximal voluntary contraction (m.v.c.) the mean motoneurone discharge rates decline. In the present experiments we found no recovery of firing rates after 3 min of rest if the fatigued muscle was kept ischaemic, but near full recovery 3 min after the blood supply was restored. Since 3 min is thus sufficient time for recovery of any central changes in excitability, the results support the hypothesis that, during fatigue, motoneurone firing rates may be regulated by a peripheral reflex originating in response to fatigue-induced changes within the muscle.