Neuromuscular fatigue during repeated sprint exercise: underlying physiology and methodological considerations

Abstract

Neuromuscular fatigue occurs when an individual's capacity to produce force or power is impaired. Repeated sprint exercise requires an individual to physically exert themselves at near-maximal to maximal capacity for multiple short-duration bouts, is extremely taxing on the neuromuscular system, and consequently leads to the rapid development of neuromuscular fatigue. During repeated sprint exercise the development of neuromuscular fatigue is underlined by a combination of central and peripheral fatigue. However, there are a number of methodological considerations that complicate the quantification of the development of neuromuscular fatigue. The main goal of this review is to synthesize the results from recent investigations on the development of neuromuscular fatigue during repeated sprint exercise. Hence, we summarize the overall development of neuromuscular fatigue, explain how recovery time may alter the development of neuromuscular fatigue, outline the contributions of peripheral and central fatigue to neuromuscular fatigue, and provide some methodological considerations for quantifying neuromuscular fatigue during repeated sprint exercise.

Impact of Carbohydrate Ingestion on Cognitive Flexibility and Cerebral Oxygenation during High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise: A Comparison between Maple Products and Usual Carbohydrate Solutions

“…These results corroborate previous findings [28,43]. However, this positive effect of HIIE on reaction time is also associated with a lower accuracy towards the end of exercise, probably due at least in part to the central and/or peripheral fatigue induced by HIIE [44,45]. Indeed, under exercise-induced fatigue, cognitive performance can be associated with faster reaction times but also with greater errors [46].…”

Monitoring Fatigue During Intermittent Exercise With Accelerometer-Derived Metrics

“…Participants completed a standardized warm-up of 5 min; following that, a submaximal intermitted recovery test (Sub-IRT) with a duration of 6 min and 30 s (drill 1) was performed (Bangsbo et al, 2008). In order to increase the participants’ fatigue, after drill 1, a repeated sprint protocol (one set of six maximal 20-m sprints with 20 s of rest between repetitions) was required (Collins et al, 2018). Following the end of this protocol, participants repeated the Sub-IRT (drill 2) to evaluate the external and internal TL variations related to fatigue.…”

Custom foot orthoses improve performance, but do not modify the biomechanical manifestation of fatigue, during repeated treadmill sprints

“…Remarkably, alterations in mean horizontal force production displayed a biphasic pattern with more marked decreases after the third sprint repetition. Following the first few repetitions of a sprint series, the time course of neuromuscular fatigue causing the reduction in performance is due mainly to peripheral fatigue, while central fatigue generally appears later (Collins et al 2018 ). Altogether, this reinforces that producing large amounts of horizontal forces to the ground is paramount to better preserve sprint capacity as fatigue develops during RSE, yet wearing CFOs had no effect on this fatigue pattern.…”