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Understanding the Effects of Neuromuscular Fatigue on the Loss of Muscle Force Control

Abstract

Patricia Hodgson*

Since ancient times, astute observers have observed that muscles that have been intensively worked gradually lose performance. This phenomenon is recognised both as performance fatigability and neuromuscular fatigue. Generally speaking, neuromuscular tiredness is a reduction in the maximum force or torque that can be produced during activity. In order to acknowledge that the capacity to produce maximum muscle force is not the only factor determining exercise performance, this definition has been modified to include a drop in any objective measure of performance over a certain time period. In fact, a crucial, though generally disregarded, aspect of determining performance is the capacity to manage submaximal muscular forces, i.e., to produce task-relevant and exact levels of force.