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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(10): 741-746
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1224171
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Submaximal Fatigue and Recovery in Boys and Men

K. Hatzikotoulas 1 , D. Patikas 1 , E. Bassa 1 , L. Hadjileontiadis 2 , Y. Koutedakis 3 , C. Kotzamanidis 1
  • 1Department of physical education and sport science, Aristotle university of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 2Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 3Department of Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision April 20, 2009

Publication Date:
07 July 2009 (online)

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Abstract

We examined the effects of a sustained submaximal isometric contraction on fatigue and recovery rates in untrained prepubescent boys and men. Fifteen prepubescent boys and 15 men executed an isometric plantar flexion at 20% of their maximal voluntary contraction for 10 min. During the fatigue protocol, surface electromyogram of the soleus, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles were obtained. Following the fatigue protocol, maximal voluntary contraction data were also obtained every 3 min throughout a 15-min recovery period. During the fatigue protocol, agonist and antagonist surface electromyogram increased gradually to a similar extent in both groups. Following fatigue, torque and surface electromyogram during a maximal voluntary contraction decreased compared to pre-fatigue values and recovered in a similar manner in both groups. However, boys showed faster recovery in torque and surface electromyogram during the third minute of recovery period. It is concluded that a low-intensity sustained isometric fatigue protocol induces similar fatigue levels in boys and men. However, there is evidence that boys can recover faster than men.

Key words

muscle fatigue - child - isometric contraction - electromyography

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Correspondence

Prof. C. Kotzamanidis

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

54006 Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Greece

Phone: +30/231/099 22 21

Fax: +30/231/099/22 21

Email: kotzaman@phed.auth.gr

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