Abstract
The authors compared the time to task failure and muscle activation for a sustained isometric submaximal contraction with the dorsiflexor muscles when the support of the foot varied while supporting an inertial load (position task). Participants performed a supported position task (n = 8) or an unsupported position task (n = 15) while maintaining a constant angle at the ankle with an inertial load equivalent to 20% of maximal isometric contraction torque until task failure. The time to failure for the supported position task (M = 15.4 min, SD = 6.8 min) was longer than for the unsupported position task (M = 10.0 mn, SD = 6.2 min, p = .01). Electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior differed between tasks (Session × Time, p = .028). Increasing foot support during a position task decreased muscle fatigability and altered activation of the primary agonist indicating the importance of limb support to minimize fatigue during prolonged activation of the dorsiflexor muscles.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 393-395 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Motor Behavior |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the National Science Foundation REU Program under grant #0452503 to Marquette University.
Keywords
- Electromyography
- Load
- Muscle fatigue
- Stabilization