ORIGINAL PAPER
Maturation-related differences in neuromuscular fatigue after a short-term maximal run
 
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1
Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
 
2
Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
 
3
Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland
 
 
Submission date: 2017-05-31
 
 
Acceptance date: 2017-07-20
 
 
Publication date: 2018-02-26
 
 
Hum Mov. 2017;18(3):17-25
 
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ABSTRACT
Purpose:
This study investigated maturation-related differences in neuromuscular fatigue after a short-term maximal run.

Methods:
Eight male children, eight adolescents, and eight adults performed a maximal ca. 50-s run (300/350/400 m, respectively). Mechanisms of neuromuscular fatigue were assessed through isometric plantar flexor tests, electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve, soleus electromyography, and blood tests.

Results:
All the groups showed a decrease in the running speed (children: –12.2 ± 6.5%; adolescents: –9.8 ± 5.1%; adults: –12.2 ± 3.1%), but only adults revealed a decline in the maximal isometric plantar flexor torque (–16.1 ± 13.0%). On the other hand, the relative pre- to post-fatigue change in the maximal isometric plantar flexor torque differed only between adults and adolescents. The peak torque in the passive twitch test decreased in adolescents (–19.2 ± 12.2%) and adults (–23.7 ± 13.7%). Moreover, post-fatigue minimum blood pH (children: 7.18 ± 0.03; adolescents: 7.14 ± 0.07; adults: 6.97 ± 0.06) differed between the groups. No changes were observed in the neural drive or mechanisms at the spinal level.

Conclusions:
Despite the loss of running speed, children showed no post-exercise fatigue, whereas adolescents and adults demon­strated fatigue at peripheral sites. Central fatigue could not be established for the studied groups.

eISSN:1899-1955
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