FORCE PERCEPTION BEFORE AND AFTER MAXIMAL VOLUNTARY CONTRACTION

Capacity to match a low level of elbow flexion force maintained in the control arm was measured in the experimental arm in 16 subjects befor e and after maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Prior to a 1-min. MVC , the mean force exerted by the experimental arm was 3.4 +/- 1.0 kg wh en attempting to match the tension of a 2.3-kg weight in the control a rm. After the MVC, the mean force exerted in the experimental arm was 4.4 +/- 2.6 kg. The change in perception of force after a prolonged MV C as demonstrated in this study may be due to postcontraction potentia tion of contraction, which has been demonstrated by others after a bri ef MVC.