The effect of localized leg muscle fatigue on tibial impact acceleration.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of localized leg muscle fatigue on tibial acceleration following impact.


BACKGROUND
Peak tibial accelerations measured just distal to the knee joint during running have been shown to increase with general body fatigue. However, the role that local leg muscle fatigue plays in shock attenuation is not clear.


METHODS
The unshod, dominant foot of 24 healthy women in two different age groups was impacted into a vertical force plate, using a human pendulum method. Impact velocity and force approximated that found in running. EMG activity of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles was monitored during fatiguing isometric exercise to assess fatigue, and quantified at impact as a measure of muscle activation level. A skin-mounted uni-axial accelerometer, was located at the tibial tubercle under pre-load, to measure tibial acceleration at impact.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in peak tibial acceleration (P = 0.008) and acceleration slope (P = 0.033) following fatigue. There were no significant main effects or interactions for age group or muscle group for all tibial response variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction in peak tibial acceleration following fatigue (for the test performed) is contrary to the response documented following whole-body fatigue.
Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. jflynn@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Janice M
JM
Flynn
Jeffrey D
JD
Holmes
David M
DM
Andrews
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology*