Extent of motor unit activation during effort

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Abstract
The technique of twitch interpolation was used to study the degree of motor unit activation during voluntary effort. In nearly all human subjects complete activation of the tibialis anterior was easily achieved during strong dorsiflexion of the ankle. It was more difficult to drive plantar-flexor motor units fully. Findings of other studies are reviewed, and an explanation is advanced to account for the differences between the tibialis anterior and plantar-flexor muscles.