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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse

The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse

Published on: May 31, 2016

Translating Fatigue to Human Performance.

Roger M Enoka¹, Jacques Duchateau

¹1Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO; and 2Laboratory of Applied Biology and Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, BELGIUM.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

|March 26, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Understanding human performance requires a unified definition of fatigue. This research proposes defining fatigue as a disabling symptom, measurable by self-report, to improve its management in health and disease.

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Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Human Performance
Symptom Science

Background:

Despite significant interest, the impact of fatigue on human performance remains poorly understood.
Current terminology and a lack of validated models hinder fatigue research.
Existing definitions fail to encompass the broad scope of fatigue-related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a unified definition of fatigue to enhance its management in various health conditions.
To establish a framework for understanding the relationship between performance fatigability and perceived fatigability.
To address knowledge gaps concerning laboratory measures of fatigue and their real-world performance implications.

Main Methods:

A conceptual review based on Mosso's classic two-domain theory of fatigue.
Proposing a definition of fatigue as a disabling symptom measurable by self-report.
Examining challenges in developing validated experimental models using examples like elderly walking endurance, athlete time trials, and multiple sclerosis fatigue.

Main Results:

Fatigue is defined as a disabling symptom where physical and cognitive function is limited by performance and perceived fatigability.
Fatigue, as a symptom, is measurable solely through self-report, quantifying trait or state characteristics.
Developing valid experimental models for fatigue remains a significant challenge across diverse populations.

Conclusions:

A unified definition of fatigue as a self-reported symptom is crucial for advancing research and clinical management.
Future research should focus on validated experimental models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying reported fatigue.
The proposed framework aims to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and real-world performance impacts of fatigue.