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 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