The subjects performed three MVCs with 3 5 s duration, separated by 1 min rest.
The three MVCs with the highest peak forces were analyzed and averaged to obtain the above EMG and force variables.
Participants performed three isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVC, duration 5 s), in each angular position, randomly presented, and the average mean was used for the calculation of force levels.
A minimum of three MVC tests were performed.
At the test session, participants first completed three MVC contractions for the isometric condition and five for the concentric and eccentric conditions.
Otherwise, supplementary trials were proposed until two MVCs reproducible within 10% were obtained within a maximum of 5 trials.
Our data showed that, using a protocol consisting of two MVCs separated by a 180-second rest interval, PAP might occur increasing IPT values and biasing the selection of the analyzed MVC.
Considering the similarity between PAP stimulation and strength assessment protocols, our goal was to investigate whether PAP would bias isometric strength assessment (i.e., MVC), using a protocol involving two MVCs separated by a 180-second rest interval.
At each measurement interval, peak isometric quadriceps strength was calculated as the highest force (N) produced during any of the three to five MVCs.
EMG at maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (duration about 5 seconds) was measured in prone position for both muscles at a foot plate angle of 0° (or maximal dorsal flexion in SCP if 0° could not be attained).
