Influence of trunk extensor muscles fatigue on the postural control and sensorimotor integration

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of trunk extensor muscles fatigue, through a submaximum and time-limited isometric task, on the postural control and sensorimotor integration of young healthy adults. Previously and after a submaximum and time-limited isometric fatigue protocol of trunk extension muscles, 30 s stabilometric recordings were taken in both conditions: eyes opened and closed. The center of pressure (CoP) displacement in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions, as well as the total displacement (TD) of CoP were analyzed from the recordings with both conditions (eyes opened and closed) and moments (PRE and POST fatigue protocol). Additionally, the Romberg Index was calculated for CoP displacement in the AP and ML directions, as well as for TD PRE and POST fatigue protocol. Significant differences between the studied parameters of pre- and post-fatigue protocol were not observed. The applied fatigue protocol was not able to modify the postural control, as well as the capacity of integrating sensorial information in the absence of vision, of young healthy subjects. These results indicate that proprioceptive information remains reliable after the used fatigue protocol, allowing subjects to keep a satisfactory straight posture.