Effects of high-frequency stimulation and doublets on dynamic contractions in rat soleus muscle exposed to normal and high extracellular [K+]

The development of maximal velocity and power in muscle depends on the ability to transmit action potentials (AP) at very high frequencies up to about 400 Hz. However, for every AP there is a small loss of K(+) to the interstitium, which during intense exercise, may build up to a point where excitability is reduced, thus limiting the intensity of further exercise. It is still unknown how the muscle responds to high-frequency stimulation when exposed to high [K(+)]. Contractile parameters of the muscles (force [F], velocity [V], power [P], rate of force development [RFD], and work) were examined during dynamic contractions, performed in vitro using rat soleus muscles incubated in buffers containing 4 or 8 mmol/L K(+) and stimulated with constant trains of tetanic or supratetanic frequency or with trains initiated by a high-frequency doublet, followed by tetanic or subtetanic trains. At 4 mmol/L K(+), an increase in frequency increased P max when using constant train stimulation. When stimulating with trains containing high-frequency doublets an increase in 120-msec work was seen, however, no increase in P max was observed. At 8 mmol/L K(+), no differences were seen for either P max or 120-msec work when increasing frequency or introducing doublets. In all experiments where the frequency was increased or doublets applied, an increase in RFD was seen in both normal and high [K(+)]. The results indicate that stimulation with supratetanic frequencies can improve dynamic muscle contractility, but improvements are attenuated when muscles are exposed to high extracellular [K(+)].