Effects of fatigue on lower limb, pelvis and trunk kinematics and muscle activation: Gender differences

• Published in: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology Vol. 32; pp. 9 - 14
• Main Authors: Camparis Lessi, Giovanna, Flávia dos Santos, Ana, Fylipe Batista, Luis, Clemente de Oliveira, Gabriela, Viadanna Serrão, Fábio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2017
• Subjects: Adult; Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - physiology; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Female; Humans; Knee injury; Knee Joint - physiology; Lower Extremity - physiology; Male; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Neuromuscular fatigue; Pelvis - physiology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Range of Motion, Articular; Sex Factors; Torso - physiology; biomechanics; anterior cruciate ligament; knee injury; neuromuscular fatigue; Biomechanics; Knee injury; Anterior cruciate ligament; Neuromuscular fatigue
• ISSN: 1050-6411; 1873-5711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.11.001

Abstract Background Muscle fatigue is associated with biomechanical changes that may lead to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Alterations in trunk and pelvis kinematics may also be involved in ACL injury. Although some studies have compared the effects of muscle fatigue on lower limb kinematics between men and women, little is known about its effects on pelvis and trunk kinematics. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of fatigue on lower limb, pelvis and trunk kinematics and muscle activation between men and women during landing. Methods The participants included forty healthy subjects. We performed kinematic analysis of the trunk, pelvis, hip and knee and muscle activation analysis of the gluteal muscles, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris, during a single-leg landing before and after fatigue. Results men had greater trunk flexion than women after fatigue. After fatigue, a decrease in peak knee flexion and an increase in Gmax and BF activation were observed. Conclusion The increase in the trunk flexion can decrease the anterior tibiofemoral shear force resulted from the lower knee flexion angle, thereby decreasing the stress on the ACL. Men presented greater trunk flexion compared to women, suggesting that males better adapt to the fatigue condition.