Advanced Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology, Second Edition, uses a mix of biochemistry, molecular biology, neurophysiology, and muscle physiology to provide a synthesis of knowledge and research in the field. The text is a leading resource devoted solely to the topic of nervous and neuromuscular systems, and it assists readers in identifying current directions in research and new avenues for exploration. Advanced Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology, Second Edition, offers readers a foundation of knowledge while detailing the most recent findings in the rapidly changing field of neuromuscular exercise physiology. It simplifies complex concepts with illustrations and graphs-including 20 new figures-all showcased in a new larger format to help students visualize and better understand the material. A new chapter on clinical considerations has been added, focusing on conditions that involve a compromise in the neuromuscular mechanisms necessary for movement. Other chapters have been updated with new or expanded content, including the following topics: Blood flow restriction during exercise as a training method The influence of pain on motor unit recruitment Surface EMG signals and the role that high-density surface EMG has played in motor unit recruitment research Updates on the role of the motoneuronal initial segment in the activation and adaptation of motoneurons An exploration of the “onion skin” pattern and neuromechanical matching for an explanation of motor unit recruitment The role of exerkines and small extracellular vesicles in adaptation to exercise The text covers a variety of important issues in the field, beginning with a discussion of motor unit types, muscle blood flow, and metabolic pathways in control of metabolism. Possible peripheral and central contributors to fatigue are discussed, as well as the effects of aerobic endurance training and strength training on the protein profiles of muscle fibers and on the central nervous system. Chapter objectives have been added to the text to provide a road map for the readers, and new review questions help students assess their understanding of the content. Chapter summaries recap the key issues presented for each topic. Analyses of research findings and research applications are highlighted in special sidebars. Throughout the text, practical examples help readers engage with the content. Within the dynamic field of neuromuscular exercise physiology, ideas of how nerves and muscles collaborate during acute and chronic exercise are continually evolving. Advanced Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology, Second Edition, offers an authoritative perspective of current research in the field as it seeks to encourage discussion, further study, and new research directions.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Muscle Fibers, Motor Units, and Motoneurons Muscle Heterogeneity Orderly Motor Unit Recruitment Smaller Motoneurons Are More Excitable Membrane Resistivity and Motoneuron Size Other Factors Determining Action Potential Generation Minimal Firing Rates and Afterhyperpolarization Durations Motoneuron Current–Frequency Relationship and Excitability Spike Frequency Adaptation Motoneuron Persistent Inward Currents (PICs) Summary Chapter 2. Motor Unit Recruitment During Different Types of Movements Measuring Human Motor Unit Recruitment Influence of Task Synergists Influence of Pain on Motor Unit Recruitment Slow-Ramp Isometric Contractions Maintained Isometric Contractions Isometric Contractions in Various Directions Isometric Contractions Versus Movements Ballistic Contractions Lengthening Contractions Cocontraction of Agonists and Antagonists Unilateral Versus Bilateral Contractions Maximal Voluntary Contractions Muscle Histochemistry to Investigate Rhythmic Complex Contractions Summary Chapter 3. Muscle Blood Flow and Metabolism Muscle Blood Flow Muscle Metabolism Summary Chapter 4. Peripheral Factors in Neuromuscular Fatigue Fatigue as Interference With the Contractile Machinery Failure of Impulse Propagation Along the Muscle Fiber Membrane Peripheral Fatigue Sites Other Than Muscle Membrane and Contractile Machinery Research From Animal Experiments Summary Chapter 5. Central Factors in Neuromuscular Fatigue Motoneuron Activity During Sustained Contractions Isometric Versus Anisometric Tasks Rotation of Motor Units? Summary Chapter 6. Muscular Mechanisms in Aerobic Endurance Training Chronic Muscle Stimulation Coordination of Muscle Protein Systems Pretranslational Control Translational Control Posttranslational Modifications Mitochondrial Responses Simultaneous Expression of Isoforms Adaptations Can Occur Ex Vivo Adaptations Appear in a Specific Sequence Thresholds of Activity for Adaptation Chronic Stimulation and Atrophy Metabolic Signals and the Adaptive Response Degenerative and Regenerative Processes Summary Chapter 7. Neural Mechanisms in Aerobic Endurance Training Adaptation of the Neuromuscular Junction Responses of Motoneurons Adaptations of Spinal Cord Circuits Summary Chapter 8. Muscle Molecular Mechanisms in Strength Training Acute Responses in Protein Synthesis and Degradation Connective Tissue Responses Role of Muscle Damage Role of Dietary Supplements Summary Chapter 9. Muscle Property Changes in Strength Training Increased Muscle Fiber Cross-Sectional Area Fiber Type Composition Muscle Fiber Number Muscle Composition Muscle Architecture Muscle Fiber Ultrastructure Tendons Evoked Isometric Contractile Properties Changes in Muscle Force, Velocity, and Power Fatigue Resistance Role of Eccentric Contractions Concurrent Resistance and Aerobic Training Summary Chapter 10. Neural Mechanisms in Strength Training Gains in Strength Versus Muscle Girth Strength Gains Show Task Specificity Surface EMG Response During MVC Imaginary Strength Training Reflex Adaptations Cross Education Decreased Activation of Antagonists Changes in Motor Unit Recruitment Changes in Motor Cortex Summary Chapter 11. Clinical Considerations Concerning Neuromuscular Exercise and Training Effects of Exercise on Neuromuscular Aging Effects of Exercise Training in Stroke Patients Physical Activity and Fibromyalgia Exercise and Dementia Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Summary