RESEARCH METHODS AND MECHANISMS IN NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION

                            26 - 28th February, 1998 JYVÄSKYLÄ, FINLAND

                                            Organized by

                            The Department of Biology of Physical Activity and

                      Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

                                          In association with

                        The Graduate Schools of the Biology of Physical Activity and

                                    TULES of the Finlands Academy

                            Endorsed by the European College of Sport Sience

The course comprises of invited lectures, poster presentations and demonstrations. The main focus of all the
presentations and demonstrations is research methodology of the neuromuscular function and adaptation. The
participants are primarily from the Graduate Schools of Biology of Physical Activity, TULES and European Master
of Sport Science but other post graduate students of physiotherapy, medicine, physical activity, cell biology and
biochemistry are also welcome.

The course examines the recent methodology and findings in neuromuscular function and adaptation in exercise.
Neuromechanical aspects of muscle function will be focused with the latest methodology. Motor unit firing
recruitment, as well as reflex adaptation and excitability will be highlighted with electromyography and
electrostimulation. A novel technique of in-vivo tendon force measurements in humans will revisit muscle mechanics
and tendon loading during normal locomotion.

Biochemical part of the course will give updated information on the research of adaptation of contractile and
accociated proteins as well as extracellular matrix proteins. Practical course will consist isolation of skeletal muscle
cells and their usage as a model to study protein synthesis. In addition, muscle fiber type analysis will be demonstrated
using image analyzer.

It is planned that the course program will be extended for 3 days so that enough time will be available for
demonstrations as well as for poster presentations of students. The course will be highlighted by foreign lecturers who
are invited on the basis of their excellence and long term commitment in the field.

The demonstrations and poster presentations will be held in the research building of the Faculty of Sport and Health
Sciences. All the lectures will take place in the auditorium situated in the sport hall adjacent to the laboratory
building. Street address: Rautpohjankatu 8, Jyväskylä

Congress organization:

Co-chair

Prof. Paavo V. Komi Department of Biology of Physical Activity

Prof. Timo Takala Department of Biology of Physical Activity

Congress secretaries

Dr. Heikki Kyröläinen Department of Biology of Physical Activity

M.Sc. Anne Ahtikoski Department of Biology of Physical Activity

Registration details:

Deadline for registration is January 30th 1998. There will be no limitations for lectures but participants for practical
courses will be selected in the order of registration. Registration fee for those not belonging to the Finnish Graduate
School of Health Sciences is 300 FIM (lectures) and 500 FIM (lectures and demonstrations). To register for the
symposium use the address below. Please mention, if you choose Biomechanics or Exercise Physiology. VAT (22%) is
included in all fees.

                University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biology of Physical Activity

PL 35, 40351 Jyväskylä, Finland

tel. +358 14 602078, fax +358 14 602071

e-mail: heikki@maila.jyu.fi

After acceptance to the symposium, please pay the registration fee to our account with Postipankki 00007 Helsinki,
Finland SWIFT PSPBFIHH, Account number: 800013-10171, Please use the reference: SYMP/98.

Accommodation

Please make your choice of the hotels by contacting the following internet address:

http://travel.ksp.fi/english/hotels.htm

FINAL PROGRAM

DAY I (26th February 1998)

COURSE OPENING 8.30 - 9.00

Paavo V. Komi  Timo Takala

Session 1. Motor unit firing and recruitment. Chair: P.V. Komi

1.1. Recording of individual motor units during voluntary contractions. 9.00 -10.00

G. Sjögaard, Odense University

Coffee break 10.00 - 10.30

1.2. Measurement of motor unit contractile properties and recruitment

after immobilization and training. 10.30 -11.30

J. Duchateau, University of Brussels

1.3. Methods of Electrostimulation to study high and low frequency

fatigue in human muscle. 11.30 - 12.00

V. Strojnik, University of Ljubljana

Lunch 12.00 - 13.00

Session 2. Reflex regulation of movement. Chair: J. Duchateau

2.1. Recording of H-reflexes during locomotion. 13.00 - 14.00

P. Dyhre-Poulsen, University of Copenhagen

2.2. Fatigue induced muscle damage and stretch reflex excitability. 14.00 - 14.30

C. Nicol, University of Marseilles

Coffee Break 14.30 - 15.00

2.3. Passive vs. active fatigue: changes in reflex sensitivity. 15.00 - 15.30

J. Avela, University of Jyväskylä

2.4. Direct in vivo force measurements during locomotion. 15.30 - 16.30

P. V. Komi, University of Jyväskylä

Session 3. Practical courses in biomechanics 17.00 - 21.00

3.1. Demonstration on measurement of ground reaction forces and plantar pressures during locomotion. 17.00 - 18.30

J. Perttunen, M. Virmavirta

3.2. Demonstration on in-vivo tendon force measurements. 18.30 - 21.00

P.V. Komi V. Lepola T. Laitinen

Session 4. Practical courses in exercise physiology 13.00 - 21.00

4.1. Isolated muscle cell as a model to study protein synthesis.

P. Rahkila J. Väliaho

4.2. Fiber type analysis, image analysis. 16.30 -17.30

S. Koskinen

DAY II (27th February 1998)

Session 5. Exercise, muscle damage and adaptation. Chair: T. Takala

5.1 Gene expression in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical stimuli. 8.30 - 9.30

G. Goldspink, University of London

5.2. Physical activity and collagen expression. 9.30 - 10.00

T. Takala, University of Jyväskylä

Coffee break 10.00 -10.30

5.2. Eccentric action induced muscle damage. 10.30 -11.30

J. Fridén, Sahlgrenska University Hospital

5.3. Exercise induced myopathy. 11.30 -12.00

V. Vihko, LIKES- Research Center, Jyväskylä

Lunch 12.00 -13.00

Session 6. Reflex regulation of movement. Chair: V. Strojnik

6.1. Changes in a - MN excitability during exercise and training. 13.00 -14.00

P. Dyhre-Poulsen, University of Copenhagen

6.2. Short and long latency reflex adaptations during fatigue. 14.00 -14.30

J. Duchateau, University of Brussels

Coffee Break 14.30 -15.00

Poster presentations 15.00 -16.30

Session 7. Practical course in biomechanics 16.30 -20.30

7.1. Demonstration on reflex excitability.

J. Avela J. Duchateau P. Dyhre-Poulsen V. Strojnik C. Nicol

Session 8. Practical courses in exercise physiology 16.30 - 20.30

8.1. Isolated muscle cell as a model to study protein synthesis.

P. Rahkila J. Väliaho

DAY III (28th February 1998)

Session 9. Muscle adaptation and performance. Chair: J. Komulainen & K. Häkkinen

9.1. Hypertrophy and myosin heavy chain isoform gene switching induced by stretch and force generation. 8.30 - 9.30

G. Goldspink, University of London

9.2. Responses of muscle extracellular matrix following eccentric exercise induced damage in relation to aging. 9.30 - 10.00

V. Kovanen, University of Jyväskylä

Coffee Break 10.00 - 10.30

9.3. Training and neuromuscular adaptation in older age. 10.30 - 11.00

K. Häkkinen, University of Jyväskylä

9.4. Muscle performance in relation to muscle mass and composition. 11.00 - 11.30

S. Sipilä, University of Jyväskylä

9.5. Musculoskeletal effects of exercise and aging. 11.30 - 12.00

H. Suominen, University of Jyväskylä

Lunch 12.00 - 13.00

Session 10. Practical course in exercise physiology 13.00 - 17.00

10.1. Isolated muscle cell as a model to study protein synthesis.

P. Rahkila J. Väliaho

Session 11. Practical course in biomechanics 13.00 - 17.00

11.1. Economy and mechanical efficiency in isolated muscle actions.

H. Kyröläinen T. Pullinen

Closing Dinner 19.00 -