Contralateral muscle fatigue in human quadriceps muscle: evidence for a centrally mediated fatigue response and cross-over effect

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of voluntary muscular fatigue in one lower limb and determine whether a 'cross-over' of fatigue is evident in the contralateral limb. Twenty-eight subjects (13 males and 15 females) performed a series of voluntary and evoked isometric contractions of both the dominant (exercised) and non-dominant (non-exercised) leg extensor muscles, prior to and after a fatigue protocol consisting of a 100-s sustained maximal isometric contraction (MVC) performed by the dominant limb only. Force values and surface electromyography (EMG) from the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained allowing for the determination of twitch and compound action potential (M-wave) values. Maximal twitch tension and peak-to-peak amplitude were significantly decreased after the fatigue test in the dominant limb, as was maximal voluntary force (approximately 65 N reduction), EMG activity (approximately 0.1 mV decrease) and voluntary activation (approximately 17% decline). However, no significant changes were observed in the non-dominant limb with respect to twitch and M-wave properties nor in MVC force. The voluntary activation of the non-dominant limb decreased significantly by 8.7% after the fatigue test, which was performed only on the dominant limb. The results of the present study suggest that the decrease in force production in the exercised limb was primarily related to peripheral fatigue mechanisms, with central fatigue making a lesser contribution. Centrally mediated mechanisms appear to be the sole contributor to fatigue in the non-exercised limb suggesting an anticipatory fatigue response and a 'cross-over' of central fatigue between the exercised and non-exercised contralateral limb.

Effect of unilateral knee extensor fatigue on force and balance of the contralateral limb

“…However, the present findings are in opposition to several studies that have reported crossover fatigue effects (Rattey et al 2006;Martin and Rattey;Halperin et al 2014a, b;Kawamoto et al 2014). Rattey's et al (2006); Martin and Rattey (2007) and Halperin et al (2014a) used 100 s sustained MVICs of the dominant limb knee extensors to induce fatigue.…”

“…Some research has shown that local fatigue occurring in one limb can result in decreased force production in the homologous muscle (Martin and Rattey 2007;Halperin et al 2014a;Kawamoto et al 2014) as well as in heteronymous muscles (Takahashi et al 2011;Kennedy et al 2013;Halperin et al 2014b) of a non-fatigued limb. This crossover or non-local fatigue effect has been identified for upper (Humphry et al 2004;Halperin et al 2014a, b) and lower limbs (Rattey et al 2006;Martin and Rattey 2007;McLean and Samorezov 2009;Paillard et al 2010;Halperin et al 2014a, b). Despite this evidence of crossover fatigue, controversy about its existence remains with many studies being unable to confirm its occurrence (Zijdewind et al 1998;Grabiner and Owings 1999;Todd et al 2003;Regueme et al 2007;Strang et al 2009;Place et al 2004;Ross et al 2007Ross et al , 2010Elmer et al 2013;Halperin et al 2014a, b).…”

“…However, the unilateral fatigue did not produce crossover fatigue in the contralateral non-fatigued limb. In the literature, crossover fatigue effects have been observed as a decrease in voluntary muscle activation (Rattey et al 2006), force (Martin and Rattey 2007) and an increase in postural sway (Paillard et al 2010) of the contralateral non-fatigued limb. The findings of the present study are similar to published studies that have found no evidence of crossover force deficits associated with unilateral fatigue (Zijdewind et al 1998;Grabiner and Owings 1999;Todd et al 2003;Regueme et al 2007;Strang et al 2009;Place et al 2004;Ross et al 2007Ross et al , 2010Elmer et al 2013).…”

“…Rattey's et al (2006); Martin and Rattey (2007) and Halperin et al (2014a) used 100 s sustained MVICs of the dominant limb knee extensors to induce fatigue. While Rattey et al (2006) found a decrease in voluntary activation (interpolated twitch technique) and EMG of the contralateral limb but a non-significant MVIC decrease, Martin and Rattey (2007) The sway parameters (mean ± SD) calculated during the single limb standing on the fatigued and the non-fatigued limb pre-and postfatigue * Significant difference (p < 0.05) for fatigued leg pre-versus post-fatigue ** Significant difference (p < 0.05) for non-fatigued leg pre-vs. post-fatigue # The variables which were not normally distributed and analyzed using Wilcoxon rank test. The test revealed no significant results and Halperin et al (2014a) found significant reductions in both force and EMG activity in the contralateral limb.…”

“…On the other hand, central fatigue has been defined as an exercise-induced attenuation in the ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to drive muscle maximally or as a decline in voluntary muscle activation (Taylor et al 2006). The effects of fatigue can either be localized or global (Rattey et al 2006). Some research has shown that local fatigue occurring in one limb can result in decreased force production in the homologous muscle (Martin and Rattey 2007;Halperin et al 2014a;Kawamoto et al 2014) as well as in heteronymous muscles (Takahashi et al 2011;Kennedy et al 2013;Halperin et al 2014b) of a non-fatigued limb.…”