Effects of local fatigue of the lower limbs on postural control and postural stability in standing posture

Postural stability and postural control were studied before and after a fatigue protocol of soleus muscles. Postural stability was assessed by the centre of gravity motion, which was computed from the motion of the centre of pressure, evaluating the postural control. Ten healthy male subjects were asked to stand as still as possible with eyes open before and after the fatigue protocol, performed in a sitting position. Fatigue was assumed on the basis of a shortening of the exertion time of the soleus muscles at 60% of their maximal voluntary contraction. Results of the whole group showed that fatigue modified postural control but did not change postural stability. The same results were observed only for some subjects. However, these results indicate an increase of the neuromuscular activity in high frequencies. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.