The influence of mental fatigue on facial EMG activity during a simulated workday.
The present study investigated whether facial EMG measures are sensitive to the effects of fatigue. EMG activity of the corrugator and frontalis muscles was recorded during and after a simulated workday. Fatigue was evaluated in four ways: (a) the building up of fatigue effects during the workday, (b) the building up of fatigue during a test period, (c) examination of after-effects of the workday in two test sessions in the evening, and (d) comparison of subjects with a high-and low-score on an Emotional Exhaustion questionnaire. EMG activity decreased during the workday and increased again in the evening. EMG activity also increased during a test period, reflecting increased mobilization to maintain performance. High-score subjects showed a lower level of EMG activity throughout the entire workday. They reported a higher need for recovery, experienced the workday as more fatiguing, and were less well rested when getting up. EMG measures seem to reflect that high-score subjects have problems with investing sufficient energy to maintain performance during a workday.
Veldhuizen
I J T
IJ
Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands. i.j.t.veldhuizen@uvt.nl
Gaillard
A W K
AW
de Vries
J
J
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation; D005149:Facial Expression; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors