Paul Ansdell1, Kevin Thomas1, Glyn Howatson2, Sandra Hunter3, Stuart Goodall4. 1. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. 2. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK; Water Research Group, School of Environmental Sciences and Development, Northwest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. 3. Program in Exercise Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA. 4. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. Electronic address: stuart.goodall@northumbria.ac.uk.
Abstract
Females are less fatigable than males during isometric contractions across various muscles and intensities. However, sex differences in knee-extensor fatigability remain relatively unexplored. PURPOSE: To determine the sex difference in performance fatigability for intermittent, isometric contractions of the knee-extensor muscles. METHODS:Eighteen participants (10 males, 8 females) performedintermittent, isometric, knee-extensor contractions at 30% of their maximal voluntary force (MVC) for 30min and in a separate session at 50% MVC until task-failure. During both fatiguing protocols a MVC was performed every 60s and electromyography (EMG) was recorded during all contractions. RESULTS: At task completion males had a larger reduction in MVC force for the 30% MVC task (-32±15% vs. -15±16%, P=0.042) and the 50% MVC task (-34±8% vs. -24±1%, P=0.045). Furthermore, for the 50% MVC task, females had a longer task duration (937±525svs. 397±153s, P=0.007). The rise in EMG activity and force fluctuations were more rapid for the males than females (P<0.05). When participants were matched for strength post hoc (n=10), a sex difference in fatigability for both tasks was still evident. CONCLUSIONS: Females were less fatigable than males during intermittent, isometric, knee-extensor contractions at moderate relative forces and this difference was independent of strength.
RCT Entities:
Females are less fatigable than males during isometric contractions across various muscles and intensities. However, sex differences in knee-extensor fatigability remain relatively unexplored. PURPOSE: To determine the sex difference in performance fatigability for intermittent, isometric contractions of the knee-extensor muscles. METHODS: Eighteen participants (10 males, 8 females) performed intermittent, isometric, knee-extensor contractions at 30% of their maximal voluntary force (MVC) for 30min and in a separate session at 50% MVC until task-failure. During both fatiguing protocols a MVC was performed every 60s and electromyography (EMG) was recorded during all contractions. RESULTS: At task completion males had a larger reduction in MVC force for the 30% MVC task (-32±15% vs. -15±16%, P=0.042) and the 50% MVC task (-34±8% vs. -24±1%, P=0.045). Furthermore, for the 50% MVC task, females had a longer task duration (937±525svs. 397±153s, P=0.007). The rise in EMG activity and force fluctuations were more rapid for the males than females (P<0.05). When participants were matched for strength post hoc (n=10), a sex difference in fatigability for both tasks was still evident. CONCLUSIONS: Females were less fatigable than males during intermittent, isometric, knee-extensor contractions at moderate relative forces and this difference was independent of strength.
Authors: Jonathon Senefeld; Hugo M Pereira; Nicholas Elliott; Tejin Yoon; Sandra K Hunter Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Andrew M Alexander; Shane M Hammer; Kaylin D Didier; Lillie M Huckaby; Thomas J Barstow Journal: Appl Physiol Nutr Metab Date: 2022-01-12 Impact factor: 2.665
Authors: Thibault Besson; Robin Macchi; Jeremy Rossi; Cédric Y M Morio; Yoko Kunimasa; Caroline Nicol; Fabrice Vercruyssen; Guillaume Y Millet Journal: Sports Med Date: 2022-02-05 Impact factor: 11.928
Authors: Jair J Gaspar-Junior; Rodolfo A Dellagrana; Fernando S S Barbosa; Ana P Anghinoni; Charles Taciro; Rodrigo L Carregaro; Paula F Martinez; Silvio A Oliveira-Junior Journal: Life (Basel) Date: 2022-05-05
Authors: Aude-Clémence M Doix; Felix Wachholz; Natalie Marterer; Lorenz Immler; Kathrin Insam; Peter A Federolf Journal: Biol Sex Differ Date: 2018-06-28 Impact factor: 5.027
Authors: Rodrigo Martín-San Agustín; Francesc Medina-Mirapeix; José Casaña-Granell; José A García-Vidal; Carmen Lillo-Navarro; Josep C Benítez-Martínez Journal: PeerJ Date: 2020-02-28 Impact factor: 2.984