Relationship between Muscle Oxygen Dynamics in the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Tapping Intervals during the Preparatory, Execution, and Recovery Phases of Foot-Tapping

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine differences in tibialis anterior muscle oxygen dynamics during the preparatory, execution, and recovery phases of foot-tapping exercise and clarify the relationship among the speed of foot-tapping, deviation from the index sound stimulus, and ankle joint position sense.

Methods: We measured oxygen dynamics in the tibialis anterior muscle during the preparatory, execution, and recovery phases of foot-tapping in 15 healthy young adult men. Participants imagined the movement in sync with 0.5-Hz and 1-Hz sound stimuli during the preparatory phase. During the execution phase, measurements were taken under sound synchronization and recall conditions.

Results: The results revealed that sound intervals, synchronization, and recall conditions affected the oxygen dynamics of the tibialis anterior muscle. In particular, the synchronization and recall conditions at 0.5-Hz and 1-Hz sound intervals had different effects on muscle oxygen dynamics and motor control. However, no relationship was observed among muscle oxygen dynamics, foot-tapping interval deviation, and ankle joint positional sense.

Conclusion: The sound intervals and conditions of synchronization and recall during the preparatory, execution, and recovery phases of foot-tapping affected oxygen dynamics in the tibialis anterior muscle. In particular, the results suggested that the synchronization and recall conditions at 0.5-Hz and 1-Hz intervals had different effects on muscle oxygen dynamics and motor control. These results are important for understanding the effects of exercise intervals and cognitive loads on muscle oxygen supply and consumption.