Effect of lower-extremity muscle fatigue on postural control.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of fatigue of the lower extremity on postural control during single-leg stance.


METHODS
Pretest-posttest.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Fourteen healthy volunteers (age, 21+/-2y) with no history of lower-extremity injury or neurologic deficits.


METHODS
Testing consisted of isokinetically fatiguing the sagittal plane movers of the ankle, knee, or hip with measures of static postural control. Postural control was assessed with three 30-second trials during unilateral stance with eyes open.


METHODS
Center of pressure excursion velocity (COPV) in the frontal and sagittal planes.


RESULTS
Fatigue at the knee and hip led to postural control impairment in the frontal plane, whereas fatigue at the ankle did not. In the sagittal plane, fatigue at all 3 joints contributed to postural control impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that there is an effect of localized fatigue of the sagittal plane movers of the lower extremity on COPV. It appears that fatigue about the hip and knee had a greater adverse affect on COPV.
Gribble
Phillip A
PA
Athletic Training Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. gribblepa@hotmail.com
Hertel
Jay
J
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*