{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Maturation-related changes in the development and etiology of neuromuscular fatigue.
{Author}: Piponnier E;Martin V;Bourdier P;Biancarelli B;Kluka V;Garcia-Vicencio S;Jegu AG;Cardenoux C;Morio C;Coudeyre E;Ratel S;
{Journal}: Eur J Appl Physiol
{Volume}: 119
{Issue}: 11
{Year}: Dec 2019
{Factor}: 3.346
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00421-019-04233-3
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of maturation on the etiology of neuromuscular fatigue induced by repeated maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Nine prepubertal boys (9.9 ± 1.3 years), eight male adolescents (13.6 ± 1.3 years) and eleven men (23.4 ± 3.0 years) performed a series of repeated isometric MVICs of the knee extensors until the MVIC torque reached 60% of its initial value. Magnetic stimulations were delivered to the femoral nerve every five MVICs to follow the course of voluntary activation level (VA) and the potentiated twitch torque (Qtwpot).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Task failure was reached after 52.9 ± 12.7, 42.6 ± 12.5, and 26.6 ± 6.3 repetitions in boys, adolescents and men, respectively. VA remained unchanged in men whereas it decreased significantly and similarly in boys and adolescents (p < 0.001). In contrast, Qtwpot remained unchanged in boys and decreased significantly less in adolescents than adults (p < 0.05).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Children and adolescents experience less peripheral and more central fatigue than adults. However, adolescents experience more peripheral fatigue than children for a comparable amount of central fatigue. This finding supports the idea that the tolerance of the central nervous system to peripheral fatigue could increase during maturation.