The effects of gender and fatigue on dynamic postural control.
BACKGROUND
Deficits in static postural control related to fatigue have been investigated previously, but there is little evidence to link fatigue to performance measures of dynamic postural control.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of fatigue and gender on performance measures of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).


METHODS
Mixed-model design.


METHODS
Research laboratory.


METHODS
16 healthy young adults.


METHODS
Subjects performed the SEBT before and after 4 different fatiguing conditions.


METHODS
The normalized reach distances and sagittal-plane kinematics of the knee and hip were recorded.


RESULTS
Fatigue produced deficits in normalized reach distances and decreased knee flexion in all 3 reaching directions. Overall, women were able to reach farther than men while simultaneously demonstrating a greater amount of knee flexion.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender differences were observed during performance of the SEBT, with women demonstrating greater reach distances and knee flexion, and fatigue amplified these differences.
Gribble
Phillip A
PA
Department of Kinesiology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
Robinson
Richard H
RH
Hertel
Jay
J
Denegar
Craig R
CR
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult