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A comparison of critical force and electromyographic fatigue threshold for isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine if the mathematical model used for estimating the EMGFT during cycle ergometry was applicable to isometric muscle actions; and (2) to compare the mean torque level from the CF test to that of the EMGFT test. The CF was defined as the slope coefficient of the linear relationship between total “isometric work” (W lim in N m s) and time to exhaustion (T lim). The EMGFT was defined as the y-intercept of the isometric torque versus EMG fatigue curve slope coefficient relationship. There was a significant (p < 0.05) mean difference between CF (6.6 ± 3.2 N m) and EMGFT (10.9 ± 4.7 N m). The results of the present study suggested that, during isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors, fatigue thresholds estimated from the W lim versus T lim relationship (CF) are different from those estimated from electromyographic fatigue curves (EMGFT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0806, USA

    C. Russell Hendrix, Terry J. Housh, Glen O. Johnson, Michelle Mielke & Richard J. Schmidt

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, 50312-4198, USA

    Joseph P. Weir

  3. Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019-6081, USA

    Travis W. Beck

  4. Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0623A, USA

    Moh H. Malek

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  1. C. Russell Hendrix
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  2. Terry J. Housh
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  3. Glen O. Johnson
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  4. Joseph P. Weir
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  5. Travis W. Beck
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  6. Moh H. Malek
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  7. Michelle Mielke
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  8. Richard J. Schmidt
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Correspondence to C. Russell Hendrix.

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Hendrix, C.R., Housh, T.J., Johnson, G.O. et al. A comparison of critical force and electromyographic fatigue threshold for isometric muscle actions of the forearm flexors. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 333–342 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0895-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0895-3

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