Electrophysiological correlates of local muscular fatigue effects upon human visual reaction time

A study of the neurophysiological basis of reaction time change was undertaken as a means of exploring the physiological mechanisms of local muscular fatigue effects upon sensorimotor performance. The identification of electrophysiological indices of central and peripheral processes within the human electroencephalogram and electromyogram, enabled a fractionation of total reaction time into component latencies measuring sensory reception time, sensorimotor integration time, central motor outflow time and peripheral motor contraction time. Simple foot dorsiflexion reactions to visual stimuli were observed in 18 male college students. Foot responses under one condition were performed against a resistance which necessitated a moderate degree of muscular tension before movement could occur while a second condition required normal unresisted responses. Two intensities of serial isometric work resulting in the order of a 38% decrement in maximum voluntary contractile capability (MVC) were performed by each subject. While the rate and extent of MVC decrement varied with the inherent strength of the subject and the intensity of the exercise performed, unconditional changes were observed in the spatiotemporal dimensions of reaction time performance following exercise-induced fatigue. The quality of total reaction time was found to deteriorate, particularly when responses were resisted. Peripheral deficiencies, suggestive of a decreased rate of tension development, were evidenced by a marked elongation of resisted motor times, and less vigorous and extensive unresisted responses. Insofar as the energy of response electromyograms was also diminished, central mechanisms were implicated, possible due to a shift in motor unit recruitment. Concomitant changes were also observed in central processing.