Effect of Extracellular Potassium Accumulation on Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity: A Simulation Study

A progressive reduction in muscle fiber conduction velocity is typically observed during fatiguing muscle contraction. Although the exact causes of the conduction velocity decrease have not yet been fully established, increasing evidence suggests that changes in extracellular potassium concentration may be largely responsible. In this study, a mathematical model was developed to examine the effect of extracellular potassium concentration on the muscle fiber action potential and conduction velocity. The model was used to simulate changes in extracellular potassium concentration at a range of temperatures and extracellular potassium accumulation during repetitive stimulation of the muscle fiber at 37 °C. The action potential broadened, and its amplitude and conduction velocity decreased as extracellular potassium concentration increased. The potassium-induced changes in action potential shape and conduction velocity were eliminated when the inward rectifier channels were removed from the model. The results support the hypothesis that accumulation of extracellular potassium ions may be a major contributor to the reduction in muscle fiber conduction velocity and loss of membrane excitability during fatiguing contractions. They additionally suggest that inward rectifier currents play a critical role in potassium-induced membrane depolarization, leading to increased sodium inactivation and resulting in the observed reduction in conduction velocity and membrane excitability.