title: Central fatigue. Critical issues, quantification and practical implications.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gandevia
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*