Assessment Methods of Sport-Induced Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) is a reduction in performance due to muscular activity.
• Assessing NMF is crucial for understanding athlete capabilities and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize testing tasks used for assessing lower limb NMF.
• To determine the most frequently used NMF tests within specific sports.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted across major scientific databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, SportDiscus, Web of Science).
• Inclusion criteria focused on healthy humans under 50, voluntary contractions, and NMF-focused studies with pre-post fatigue analysis.
• PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed for systematic reporting.

Main Results:

• 97 studies were included, predominantly featuring male (68.0%) and professional athletes (46.4%).
• Team sports athletes (74.2%), particularly soccer and rugby players, were most studied.
• Vertical jumps (82.5%) measured by force platforms (77.5%) were the most common NMF test, evaluating jump height (75.0%) and peak power (41.3%).
• Tests varied by sport; vertical jumps and sprints were common in team sports, while vertical jumps and isometric knee exercises were used in individual sports.

Conclusions:

• Current NMF assessment methods, including protocols and tasks, are diverse.
• The vertical jump test is the most prevalent across both team and individual sports.
• Selecting sport-specific NMF tests is essential for accurate evaluation.