Fatigue-induced adaptive changes of anticipatory postural adjustments

To examine the fatigue-induced adaptive changes (e.g., timing) of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs), APAs of 30 research participants were recorded before (baseline) and after (post-test) conditions of either rest (control group, n = 15) or fatigue (fatigue group, n = 15). Muscle fatigue was generated using a dead-lift exercise performed to exhaustion. Self-initiated postural perturbations were induced using a rapid unilateral arm-raising maneuver (focal movement), and APAs were obtained using electromyography (EMG) recorded bilaterally in the lumbar and thoracic paraspinal muscles as well as the hamstring muscles. Postural stability during the focal movement was assessed using a force plate. Results showed that fatigue had no effect on postural stability during the focal movement, and yet caused earlier APA onsets in three of the six muscles evaluated. In spite of early APA activation, the APA EMG integrals of two of the three postural control muscles which exhibited fatigue-induced early APA onsets (T9 and L4 contralateral paraspinals) did not differ between baseline and post-test measures. The findings suggest that early APA onset may enhance postural stability by permitting a longer duration APA which can counteract fatigue-induced decreases in the force-producing capability of muscles that contribute to postural stability.