Effects of two neuromuscular fatigue protocols on landing performance

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of two fatigue protocols on landing performance. A repeated measures design was used to examine the effects of fatigue and fatigue protocol on neuromuscular and biomechanical performance variables. Ten volunteers performed non-fatigued and fatigued landings on two days using different fatigue protocols. Repeated maximum isometric squats were used to induce fatigue on day one. Sub-maximum cycling was used to induce fatigue on day two. Isometric squat maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was measured before and after fatigued landings on each day. During the landings, ground reaction force (GRF), knee kinematics, and electromyographic (EMG) data were recorded. Isometric MVC, GRF peaks, loading rates, impulse, knee flexion at contact, range of motion, max angular velocity, and EMG root mean square (RMS) values were compared pre- and post-fatiguing exercise and between fatigue protocols using repeated ANOVA. Fatigue decreased MVC strength (p ⩽ 0.05), GRF second peak, and initial impulse (p ⩽ 0.01), but increased quadriceps medium latency stretch reflex EMG activity (p ⩽ 0.012). Knee flexion at contact was 5.2° greater (p ⩽ 0.05) during fatigued landings following the squat exercise compared to cycling. Several variables exhibited non-significant but large effect sizes when comparing the effects of fatigue and fatigue protocol. In conclusion, fatigue alters landing performance and different fatigue protocols result in different performance changes.