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Sex differences in central and peripheral mechanisms of fatigue in cyclists

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Abstract

We examined peripheral versus central contributions to fatigue in men and women during prolonged cycling using a peripheral nerve magnetic stimulation-based technique. 11 men (41 ± 3 years) and 9 women (38 ± 2 years) cycled for 2 h at ventilatory threshold with 5, 1-min sprints interspersed, followed by a 3-km time trial. Quadriceps strength testing was performed isometrically in a semi-reclined position pre- and post-cycling: (1) MVC; (2) MVC with superimposed 3-s magnetic stimulation to measure central activation ratio (CAR), a measure of central fatigue; (3) peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) alone of the femoral nerve in a 4-s pulse train, a measure of peripheral fatigue. Data were analyzed with mixed model ANOVA. When adjusted for body mass, men and women had similar strength (p = 0.876), and changes in MVC with time were similar between sexes, declining 22 % in men and 16 % in women (p = 0.360). CAR was similar between sexes and decreased 15 % (effect of time, p < 0.001). Changes in PMS-elicited force were different between sexes: only men lost stimulated strength (6.30 to 5.21 vs. 5.48 to 5.53 N kg−1, interaction p = 0.036). Results clearly demonstrate that quadriceps fatigue after >2 h of cycling was of both central and peripheral origin in men but solely due to central mechanisms in women.

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Abbreviations

AUG:

Voluntary contraction augmented with superimposed magnetic stimulation

CAR:

Central activation ratio

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

PMS:

Peripheral magnetic stimulation

RQ:

Respiratory quotient

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

VO2 :

Oxygen consumption

VOL:

Voluntary contraction

VT:

Ventilatory threshold

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Ethical standards

The experiments performed comply with the current laws of the United States and were approved by the Institutional review Board of Lenox Hill Hospital.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, Lenox Hill Hospital, 100 East 77th Street, 2 Uris, New York, NY, 10075, USA

    Beth W. Glace, Ian J. Kremenic & Malachy P. McHugh

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  1. Beth W. Glace
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  2. Ian J. Kremenic
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  3. Malachy P. McHugh
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Correspondence to Beth W. Glace.

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Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

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Glace, B.W., Kremenic, I.J. & McHugh, M.P. Sex differences in central and peripheral mechanisms of fatigue in cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 1091–1098 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2516-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2516-4

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