Training one limb with resistance exercises can improve the speed at which the opposite, untrained limb generates force, without making the muscle bigger or stronger overall. This suggests the...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Training one leg makes the brain better at sending fast, coordinated signals to the opposite leg’s muscles, so they activate together more quickly at the start of movement. This speeds up force production without making the muscles bigger or stronger.
Most probable mechanism
Training one leg causes the brain to become more efficient at sending quick signals to the opposite leg's muscles, making them fire together faster at the start of movement, which speeds up how quickly force is produced without making the muscles bigger or stronger.
Unilateral resistance training induces neuroplastic changes in the motor cortex and associated supraspinal networks, increasing the amplitude and synchrony of descending neural signals.
These enhanced descending signals selectively increase the early-phase recruitment of motor units in the contralateral soleus muscle, without altering spinal reflex pathways.
The increased synchrony and timing of motor unit activation during the initial phase of contraction accelerate the rate at which torque is generated.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Contralateral training effects of low-intensity blood-flow restricted and high-intensity unilateral resistance training
Contradicting (0)
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