Sex differences in fatigue resistance are muscle group dependent.
OBJECTIVE
Women are often reported to be generally more resistant to fatigue than men for relative-intensity tasks. This has been observed repeatedly for elbow flexors, whereas at the ankle, sex differences appear less robust, suggesting localized rather than systemic influences. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in fatigue resistance at muscle groups in a single cohort and which factors, if any, predict endurance time.


METHODS
Thirty-two young adults (age = 19-44 yr, 16 women) performed sustained isometric contractions at 50% maximum voluntary isometric contraction to failure for elbow flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. Pain, exertion, and muscle EMG were assessed throughout. Self-reported baseline activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Women were significantly more resistant to fatigue than men at the elbow (112.3 ± 6.2 vs 80.3 ± 5.8 s, P = 0.001) but not at the ankle (140.6 ± 10.7 vs 129.2 ± 10.5 s, P = 0.45). Peak torque was greater in men than that in women (P < 0.0001) at the ankle (45.0 ± 1.7 vs 30.1 ± 1.0 N·m) and at the elbow (75.7 ± 3.1 vs 34.4 ± 2.2 N·m). Peak torque was significantly related to endurance time at the elbow (R2= 0.30) but not at the ankle (R2 = 0.03). Peak pain, rate of pain increase, peak exertion, EMG, and baseline physical activity did not differ between sexes.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex differences in fatigue resistance are muscle group specific. Women were more fatigue resistant at the elbow but not at the ankle during a sustained isometric contraction. Further, factors that may contribute to fatigue resistance for one muscle group (e.g., sex, peak torque) may not be critical at another.
Avin
Keith G
KG
Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1190, USA.
Naughton
Maureen R
MR
Ford
Brett W
BW
Moore
Haley E
HE
Monitto-Webber
Maya N
MN
Stark
Amy M
AM
Gentile
A John
AJ
Law
Laura A Frey
LA
D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004550:Elbow / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult