Effects of neuromuscular fatigue on the electromechanical delay of the leg extensors and flexors in young males and females
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Muscle and Nerve
Volume
52
Issue
5
Publisher
Wiley
Publication Date
9-3-2015
First Page
844
Last Page
851
Abstract
Introduction: We examined the effects of neuromuscular fatigue on volitional electromechanical delay (EMD) of leg extensors and flexors between genders. Methods: Twenty-one men and 20 women performed 2 maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs), followed by intermittent isometric contractions of leg extensors and flexors using a 0.6 duty cycle (6-s contraction, 4-s relaxation) at 50% of MVC until volitional fatigue was achieved. MVCs were again performed at 0, 7, 15, and 30 min post-fatigue. Results: EMD was greater compared with baseline at all post-fatigue time phases for the leg flexors (P = 0.001–0.007), while EMD was greater at Post0, Post15 and Post30 (P = 0.001–0.023) for the leg extensors. EMD was also greater for leg extensors compared with leg flexors only at Post0. Conclusion: No differential gender-related fatigue effects on EMD were shown. There were different fatigue-induced responses between leg extensors and flexors, with leg extensors exhibiting higher EMD immediately post-fatigue.
Recommended Citation
Conchola, E.C., Thiele, R.M., Palmer, T.B., Smith, D.B., and Thompson, B.J. (2015). Effects of neuromuscular fatigue on the electromechanical delay of the leg extensors and flexors in young males and females. Muscle and Nerve, 52(5): 844-851. IF = 2.7, % = 62.4 (Neurology).