The effect of dominant first dorsal interosseous fatigue on the force production of a contralateral homologous and heterologous muscle

Crossover and nonlocal muscle fatigue (NLMF) has generally focused on large muscle groups. It is unclear if fatigue of a small muscle can result in NLMF of a larger muscle. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of small muscle (first dorsal interosseous; FDI) fatigue on the force and activation of contralateral homologous and larger heterologous muscles (biceps brachii; BB). Fifteen right-handed male subjects performed 3 pre-test index finger abduction or elbow flexion maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) on the nondominant side. Subsequently, they performed two 100-s index finger abduction MVICs on the dominant side (experimental (fatigue) group) or rested for 5 min (control group). Afterwards, a single MVIC and a 12-repetition MVIC fatiguing protocol were completed with index finger abduction or elbow flexion on the nondominant side. Force and electromyography (EMG) were measured from both sides. The force and EMG (median frequency; MDF) of nonexercised index finger abductors (IFA)/FDI and elbow flexors (EF)/BB significantly decreased after the fatiguing protocol. Compared with the control condition, the nonexercised IFA (12.5% and 5.7%) had significantly greater force and MDF fatigue indexes than the EF (5.2% and 1.7%). There were no significant force differences with the single MVIC test between conditions. The small muscle fatiguing protocol produced NLMF effects on both contralateral homologous and larger heterologous muscles, with the force decrements greater with the homologous muscle.