Influence of fatigue on EMG/force ratio and cocontraction in cycling

The purpose of the present study was to observe force and power losses and electromyographic manifestations of fatigue during repeated sprints performed on a friction-loaded cycle ergometer.

Ten subjects performed 15 maximal 5-s sprints with 25-s rests between them. Power, velocity, and torque were measured during sprints 1 and 13 and during two submaximal constant-velocity (50 rpm) periods of cycling performed before and after the sprints. The EMG signals of five leg muscles were stored to determine the EMG/force ratio of power producer muscles and the coactivation of antagonist muscles. The power producer muscles were activated to the same level during sprints 1 and 13, despite a loss of force, whereas the vastus lateralis muscle was recruited more during the submaximal cycling period under fatigue conditions.

This led to an increased EMG/force ratio for the power producer muscles, indicating the peripheral fatigue status of these muscles. Antagonist muscles were less activated during the sprints after fatigue; whereas they stayed unchanged during the last submaximal cycling period.

This suggests that there is a decrease in coactivation as agonist force is lost. This decrease in coactivation under fatigue conditions has not been previously reported and is probably due to the training status of the subjects. Subjects may have learned to better use their antagonist muscles to efficiently transfer force and power to the rotating pedal. This coordination can be adapted to cope with fatigue of the power producer muscles.