Tendon vibration does not alter decreased responsiveness of motoneurones in the absence of motor cortical input during fatigue.

摘要

Fatigue, defined as any exercise-induced reduction in the ability to generate muscle force or power, is task dependent and multifaceted in that both central and peripheral contributing factors to fatigue vary depending on the activity performed (Taylor & Gandevia, 2008). Therefore, identifying the potential site(s) of fatigue is of substantial importance in understanding the underlying mechanisms. The pioneering work of Merton (1954) concluded that the primary site of fatigue was peripheral, and central mechanisms do not contribute. Percutaneous electrical stimulation was applied to the ulnar nerve during a fatiguing maximal voluntary effort of the adductor pollicis resulting in no additional force output. In other words, the mechanical response to the electrical stimulus, the twitch, was 'occluded' or blocked indicating complete voluntary activation in a fatigued state.