Central fatigue. Critical issues, quantification and practical implications.
Central fatigue during exercise is the decrease in muscle force attributable to a decline in motoneuronal output. Several methods have been used to assess central fatigue; however, some are limited or not sensitive enough to detect failure in central drive. Central fatigue develops during many forms of exercise. A number of mechanisms may contribute to its development including an increased inhibition mediated by group III and IV muscle afferents along with a decrease in muscle spindle facilitation. In some situations, motor cortical output is shown to be suboptimal. A specific terminology for central fatigue is included.
Gandevia
S C
SC
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
Allen
G M
GM
McKenzie
D K
DK
D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*