The influence of muscle use on conduction velocity of motor nerve fibres.

The conduction velocity of the motor nerve fibres of the peroneal and posterior tibial nerves was estimated in 38 rickshaw pullers and 25 human volunteers serving as controls. The mean values for motor conduction velocity were greater in the case of rickshaw pullers as compared to control subjects. However, the difference was statistically significant (P smaller than 0.05) for the peroneal nerve only. It is concluded that muscle hypertrophy produced by hyperactivity has an influence on nerves supplying the muscles.