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Is the notion of central fatigue based on a solid foundation?
Paola Contessa1, Alessio Puleo2, Carlo J De Luca3
1Delsys Incorporated, Natick, Massachusetts; Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts pcontessa@delsys.com.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|December 15, 2015
Summary
Peripheral factors alone can explain exercise-induced muscle fatigue, challenging the necessity of central fatigue. This study questions the interpretation and measurement of central fatigue, suggesting it may not be required to explain muscle force reduction.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Exercise-induced muscle fatigue is traditionally attributed to both peripheral and central factors.
- Central fatigue, originating in the central nervous system, lacks direct empirical evidence linking it to reduced muscle force.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if peripheral factors are sufficient to explain muscle force behavior during fatiguing voluntary contractions.
- To evaluate the validity of the interpolated twitch technique for assessing central fatigue.
Main Methods:
- Development of a simulation model incorporating peripheral fatigue mechanisms.
- Simulating submaximal voluntary contractions with a time-dependent decrease in motor unit twitch amplitude.
Main Results:
- Peripheral factors alone adequately explained muscle force reduction typically attributed to central fatigue.
- Identified significant flaws in using the interpolated twitch response to assess central fatigue.
Conclusions:
- The concept of central fatigue may not be necessary to explain observed muscle fatigue.
- Current methods for measuring central fatigue are questionable, necessitating a re-evaluation of its role in exercise physiology.
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