scholarly journals Investigating the Effects of Mental Fatigue on Resistance Exercise Performance

Author(s):  
Denver M. Y. Brown ◽  
Amanda Farias Zuniga ◽  
Daanish M. Mulla ◽  
Divya Mendonca ◽  
Peter J. Keir ◽  
...  

Mental fatigue can impart negative effects on subsequent physical performance, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. This study examined whether mental fatigue confers negative carryover effects on the performance of a set of biceps curls, while also investigating physiological and psychological mechanisms proposed to explain the predicted effect. A randomized, cross-over design was employed. On visit 1, participants (N = 10) performed a barbell biceps curl one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. On visits 2–3, participants performed 20 biceps curls at 50% of their 1RM, followed by their respective 10 min experimental manipulation (high vs. low cognitive exertion) and then a second set of biceps curls to exhaustion. Ratings of perceived exertion and electromyography of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, upper trapezius, thoracic erector spinae and lumbar erector spinae were recorded during the physical task. The total number of repetitions completed was similar across the conditions. Results also failed to show between-condition differences for muscle activation and perceptions of exertion. Future research is needed to build an adequate knowledge base to determine whether there is an effect of mental fatigue on dynamic resistance-based task performance and, if so, identify the mechanisms explaining how and why.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denver M. Y. Brown ◽  
Amanda Farias Zuniga ◽  
Daanish Mulla ◽  
Divya Mendonca ◽  
Peter Keir ◽  
...  

Mental fatigue can impart negative effects on subsequent physical performance, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. This study examined whether mental fatigue confers negative carryover effects on the performance of a set of biceps curls, while also investigating physiological and psychological mechanisms proposed to explain the predicted effect. A randomized, cross-over design was employed. On Visit 1, participants (N = 10) performed a barbell biceps curl one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. On Visits 2/3, participants performed 20 biceps curls at 50% of their 1RM, followed by their respective 10-minute experimental manipulation (high vs. low cognitive exertion), and then a second set of biceps curls to exhaustion. Ratings of perceived exertion and electromyography of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, upper trapezius, thoracic erector spinae, and lumbar erector spinae were recorded during the physical task. The total number of repetitions completed was similar across the conditions. Results also failed to show between-condition differences for muscle activation and perceptions of exertion. Future research is needed to build an adequate knowledge base to determine whether there is an effect of mental fatigue on dynamic resistance-based task performance, and if so, identifying the mechanisms explaining how and why.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Lin Ning ◽  
Jia-Da Li ◽  
Wei-Ching Lo ◽  
Chih-Hung Huang ◽  
Chu-Fen Chang ◽  
...  

Adequate pattern and consistency of the muscle recruitment is essential to symbolize the destruction of the opponent with high movement velocities and precise targeting of the opponent's head and body during a karate jab. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reaction time (RT), motor time (MT), and total response time (TRT), as well as their correlation during a karate jab, and to investigate the recruitment pattern and consistency of muscles during motor time. As many as 14 professional karate athletes (age: 23.67 ± 2.64 years; height: 174.57 ± 7.13 cm; and weight: 72.75 ± 10.65 kg) participated in the current study. Each subject was instructed to pose in combat stance first and then to use their left hand to jab at an instrumented kicking target as soon as they saw the start signal. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from 16 muscles, namely the pronator teres, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and deltoid of the left upper limb, right erector spinae, left rectus abdominis, and gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius of the right and left lower limbs. Start and stop signals from the instrumented target were also recorded synchronously to obtain the TRT. Significant correlation between MT and TRT indicated that MT was a key determinant for the TRT of the jab. When performing a karate jab, the karate athletes initiated the movement with postural adjustments of the legs and trunk prior to the onset of the voluntary jab by the upper limb, and with a proximal-to-distal sequence of muscle activation in the left arm. Good consistencies of muscle recruitment of the trunk, left arm, and leg, and cocontraction of the left triceps and biceps brachii also indicated a well-controlled jab by the left arm. These results provide important information on the patterns and the consistencies of the muscle recruitment for coaching a karate jab, which should be helpful for a better understanding of the motor control strategies of a karate jab and for developing a suitable training protocol.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela J.B. Torres ◽  
André L.T. Pirauá ◽  
Vinícius Y.S. Nascimento ◽  
Priscila S. dos Santos ◽  
Natália B. Beltrão ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of the use of stable and unstable surfaces on electromyography (EMG) activity and coactivation of the scapular and upper-limb muscles during the push-up plus (with full protraction of the scapula). Muscle activation of anterior deltoid (AD), posterior deltoid (PD), pectoralis major, biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) levels and coactivation index were determined by surface EMG in 20 young men during push-up plus performed on a stable and unstable condition (2 unstable devices applied to hands and feet). The paired t test and Cohen d were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that during the execution of the push-up plus on the unstable surface an increased EMG activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles (SA, MT, and LT) was observed, while AD and PD muscles showed a decrease. During exercise execution on the unstable surface there was a higher index of coactivation of the scapular muscles (SA–MT and UT–LT pairs). No significant differences were observed in TB–BB and AD–PD pairs. These results suggest that the push-up-plus exercise associated with unstable surfaces produced greater EMG activity levels and coactivation index of the scapular stabilizing muscle. On the other hand, the use of an unstable surface does not promote the same effect for the shoulder muscles.


Author(s):  
Yong-Ku Kong ◽  
Chae-Won Park ◽  
Min-Uk Cho ◽  
Seoung-Yeon Kim ◽  
Min-Jung Kim ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the muscle activities and subjective discomfort according to the heights of tasks and the lower-limb exoskeleton CEX (Chairless EXoskeleton), which is a chair-type passive exoskeleton. Twenty healthy subjects (thirteen males and seven females) participated in this experiment. The independent variables were wearing of the exoskeleton (w/ CEX, w/o CEX), working height (6 levels: 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 cm), and muscle type (8 levels: upper trapezius (UT), erector spinae (ES), middle deltoid (MD), triceps brachii (TB), biceps brachii (BB), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), and tibialis anterior (TA)). The dependent variables were EMG activity (% MVC) and subjective discomfort rating. When wearing the CEX, the UT, ES, RF, and TA showed lower muscle activities at low working heights (40–80 cm) than not wearing the CEX, whereas those muscles showed higher muscle activities at high working heights (100–140 cm). Use of the CEX had a positive effect on subjective discomfort rating at lower working heights. Generally, lower discomfort was reported at working heights below 100 cm when using the CEX. At working heights of 100–140 cm, the muscle activity when wearing the CEX tended to be greater than when not wearing it. Thus, considering the results of this study, the use of the lower-limb exoskeleton (CEX) at a working height of 40–100 cm might reduce the muscle activity and discomfort of whole body and decrease the risk of related disorders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinícius Yan Santos Nascimento ◽  
Rafaela Joyce Barbosa Torres ◽  
Natália Barros Beltrão ◽  
Priscila Soares dos Santos ◽  
André Luiz Torres Pirauá ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the effects of instability on the EMG activity of scapular stabilizing and upper limb muscles during exercises with axial and rotational load. Twenty male volunteers (20.9 ± 1.8 years, 174.1 ± 0.04 cm, 73.17 ± 8.77 kg) experienced in strength training participated in a crossover design. Muscle activation of anterior deltoid (AD), posterior deltoid (PD), pectoralis major (PM), biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) were determined on both conditions. Participants performed a single series of 10 repetitions of bench press and fly exercises on stable (bench) and unstable (proprioceptive disc) conditions at 60% of 1-RM. The Friedman test and post hoc Dunn’s indicated that the unstable condition showed greater EMG activity for AD (P = .001) and BB (P = .002) on the fly exercise, SA (P = .001) and LT (P = .048) on the bench press, and PM (P ≤ .002) on both exercises. These results show that using an unstable surface in exercises with rotational load provides superior EMG activity of the agonist muscles, while in exercise with axial load, the instability favors EMG activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles.


Author(s):  
Tessy Luger ◽  
Robert Seibt ◽  
Monika Rieger ◽  
Benjamin Steinhilber

We investigated whether physical requirements and motor variability decreased over days in novices during a repetitive screwing task. Fifty-seven subjects performed one hour of repetitive screwing and fastening on three days, separated by 2–7 days. The average physical requirement and relative cycle-to-cycle variability (coefficient of variation, i.e., CV) were calculated from continuous recordings of electromyography of four arm muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii, flexor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum), forearm acceleration, and electrocardiography. Muscle activity levels, heart rate, and forearm acceleration decreased from day 1 to day 2 (range: ~4% to ~20%) and/or 3 (range: ~4% to ~28%). Not all muscles showed a similar pattern. Activity of the extensor digitorum and biceps brachii decreased already between days 1 and 2 (range: ~6% to ~13%), whereas activity of the flexor carpi radialis and triceps brachii decreased between days 1 and 3 (range: ~13% to ~20%). No changes in physical requirement were detected between days 2 and 3. Relative motor variability did not change across days, except that variability of forearm acceleration increased from day 1 to 3 (~5%). This study found consistent changes in physical requirements and indicated that several arm muscles show earlier decreases of muscular activity, like the extensor digitorum, compared to other body parts, like the flexor carpi radialis. Moreover, movement strategies may develop differently than muscle activation strategies, based on the different developments of physical requirements and motor variability. The development of physical requirements in industrial tasks is part of daily living and starts at task onset, highlighting the importance of task familiarization and the randomization of experimental conditions in scientific studies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L. Cullen ◽  
J.P. Dickey ◽  
S.H.M. Brown ◽  
S.G. Nykamp ◽  
L.R. Bent ◽  
...  

This study investigated the feasibility of obtaining ultrasound-guided intramuscular fine-wire electromyographic (fEMG) recordings from four canine shoulder muscles during highly dynamic activities. Four cadaveric canines were utilised to confirm the appropriate anatomical landmarks and the use of real time ultrasound guidance for electrode placement for four shoulder muscles: Biceps Brachii (BB), Supraspinatus (SP), Infraspinatus (IF), and Triceps Brachii – Long Head (TBLH). Electromyographic activity of the left BB, S P, IF, and TBLH was then recorded in two research dogs while walking and trotting to refine the data collection procedures. Finally, the full experimental protocol was piloted with two client-owned, specially-trained agility dogs, confirming the feasibility of collecting fEMG recordings while performing dynamic, highly-specific agility-related tasks and verifying our EMG amplitude normalisation protocol to enable comparisons across muscles and performance tasks. We present specific guidelines regarding the placement of fEMG electrodes and data collection/normalisation procedures to enable investigations of muscle activation during dynamic activities.


1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert U. Newton ◽  
William J. Kraemer ◽  
Keijo Häkkinen ◽  
Brendan J. Humphries ◽  
Aron J. Murphy

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics, kinetics, and neural activation of the traditional bench press movement performed explosively and the explosive bench throw in which the barbell was projected from the hands. Seventeen male subjects completed three trials with a bar weight of 45% of the subject's previously determined 1RM. Performance was significantly higher during the throw movement compared to the press for average velocity, peak velocity, average force, average power, and peak power. Average muscle activity during the concentric phase for pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, and biceps brachii was higher for the throw condition. It was concluded that performing traditional press movements rapidly with light loads does not create ideal loading conditions for the neuromuscular system with regard to explosive strength production, especially in the final stages of the movement, because ballistic weight loading conditions where the resistance was accelerated throughout the movement resulted in a greater velocity of movement, force output, and EMG activity.


Author(s):  
Kalvis Ciekurs ◽  
Viesturs Krauksts ◽  
Daina Krauksta ◽  
Baiba Smila ◽  
Aivars Kaupuzs

Local vibrostimulation (further in text - LV) is innovation as a part of training method that helps athletes to regain the power and get ready for next training faster. There are many discussions about how to increase moving speed in rowers. Many scientists research the possibilities of increasing moving speed in this sport. The following methods were used in the study: tests – Concept-2, LV manipulations, electromyography and mathematical statistics. The electromyography was made with Biometric LTD. LV manipulations were done to the muscles erector spinae, latisimus dorsi, teres major, teres minor, trapezius, infraspinatus, deltoideus, slenius capitis, triceps brachii, gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, castrocnemius, tendo calcaneus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tensor fascia latae, vastus medialis, sarterius, ligamentum patellae, tibialis anterior, rectus abdominis, pectoralis major and biceps brachii. We using 100 Hz frequency, 2 – 4 mm amplitude and different pressure on the muscles. The total LV application time was 5 to 20  min. The obtained data were processed using mathematical statistics. The results: having stated the result difference before LV and after it. The results testify significant improvement of Concept-2 tests results and electromyography results, what is showed by the difference of the mean results. Comparing the results of the rowers of EG and CG they have differences in the left side muscle latissimus dorsi after the t-test where p>0.05, but stating the percentage of the mean result difference of this muscle it was found out that p>0.05 what also shows significant changes in the muscle biopotential (mV).


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Youngsook Bae

This study aimed to identify the activation of lower extremity, trunk, and masticatory muscle and trunk kinematics of the initial foot position during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement. Sixteen young men participated in this cross-sectional pilot study and performed STS using both symmetrical and asymmetrical foot positions. Activation of the tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius lateral head (GA), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), rectus abdominis, erector spinae (ES), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper trapezius (UT), temporalis (TE), and masseter muscles in the dominant side was determined. For trunk kinematics, head and trunk velocities, front-back (For-Back) and mediolateral (Med-Lat) weight translation rates, and trunk inclination were measured. GA, TA, BF, and RF activation significantly increased, whereas ES, SCM, UT, and TE activation significantly decreased when using the asymmetrical foot position. Head velocity, For-Back, Med-Lat, and trunk inclination were also significantly decreased. In conclusion, the asymmetrical foot position increases muscle activation in the lower extremities and decreases trunk inclination. In addition, ES, UT, and TE muscle activity decreases at the initial asymmetrical foot position.


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