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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(9): 636-643
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1255112
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Mechanomyographic Fatigue Threshold Test for Cycling

J. M. Zuniga1 , T. J. Housh1 , C. L. Camic1 , C. R. Hendrix1 , R. J. Schmidt1 , M. Mielke2 , G. O. Johnson2
  • 1University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nutrition and Health Sciences, Lincoln, United States
  • 2University of the Pacific, Sport Science, Stockton, United States
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision May 12, 2010

Publication Date:
29 June 2010 (online)

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Abstract

The purposes of this study were twofold: 1) to derive the mechanomyographic mean power frequency fatigue threshold (MMG MPFFT) for submaximal cycle ergometry; and 2) to compare the power outputs associated to the MMG MPFFT to other neuromuscular and gas exchange fatigue thresholds. 9 adults (5 men and 4 women; mean±SD age=23.7±3.7 years; body weight=66.3±8.2 kg) performed an incremental cycle ergometry test to exhaustion while expired gas samples, electromyographic (EMG), and MMG signals were measured from the vastus lateralis muscle. The non-significant correlations (r=0.17 to 0.66; p>0.05) among the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT), MMG MPFFT, and gas exchange threshold (GET) suggested that different physiological mechanisms may underlie these 3 fatigue thresholds. A significant correlation (r=0.83) for the MPFFT vs. respiratory compensation point (RCP) suggested that these fatigue thresholds may be mediated by a common physiological mechanism. In addition, the significantly lower mean values found for the PWCFT (mean±SD=163±43 W), MMG MPFFT (132±33 W), and GET (144±28 W) than MPFFT (196±53 W) and RCP (202±41 W) suggested that these gas exchange and neuromuscular fatigue thresholds may demarcate different exercise intensity domains.

Key words

pedaling exercise - mechanomyography - frequency-based test - exercise intensity domains

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Correspondence

Jorge M. Zuniga

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nutrition and Health Sciences

110 Ruth Leverton Hall

68583-0806 Lincoln

United States

Phone: +1/402/472 2690

Fax: +1/402/472 2690

Email: jzuniga2@unlserve.unl.edu