19th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
The Effect of Fatigue on Dominant Arm Proprioception
Megan C. Miller* and Pamela J. Bird
Dr. Jeremy Houser and Dr. Jerry L. Mayhew , Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of isotonically induced fatigue on dominant arm proprioception. It was hypothesized that fatigue of the elbow flexors and/or extensors would increase proprioception error, decreasing the participants’ ability to reach a predetermined joint angle. Male (n = 14) and female (n = 31) college students (age = 20.56 ± 1.12 yrs) were randomly divided into three muscle fatigue groups; elbow flexors, elbow extensors, or both flexors and extensors. Subjects were trained to duplicate a 140-deg joint angle which was measured by a goniometer. The participants attempted to duplicate this joint angle without assistance before, between, and after three fatigue sets. Dumbbells were used to fatigue their specified muscle group(s). A significant difference was found between the average of the pre-fatigue trials versus the average of the post-fatigue trials, suggesting that fatigue may affect proprioception accuracy at the elbow.
Keywords: Proprioception, Muscle fatigue, Goniometer, Elbow joint, Exercise Science, Motor Learning
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 48-4
Location: VH 1000
Time: 3:30