Force perception before and after maximal voluntary contraction.

Capacity to match a low level of elbow flexion force maintained in the control arm was measured in the experimental arm in 16 subjects before and after maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Prior to a 1-min. MVC, the mean force exerted by the experimental arm was 3.4 +/- 1.0 kg when attempting to match the tension of a 2.3-kg weight in the control arm. After the MVC, the mean force exerted in the experimental arm was 4.4 +/- 2.6 kg. The change in perception of force after a prolonged MVC as demonstrated in this study may be due to postcontraction potentiation of contraction, which has been demonstrated by others after a brief MVC.