Rate of Force Development in the Handgripping Muscles by Females as a Function of Fatigue Level

Abstract

Abstract Twenty-eight young, adult women were tested for maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the grip flexors and were then given five fatigue trials in which the task was to maintain a maximum isometric contraction until the strength level had been degraded to either 80%, 60%, or 40% MVC. At that time, the subject relaxed and within one second was commanded to generate a single contraction as rapidly and forcefully as possible. Testing was also conducted in the nonfatigued state (1.00 MVC). Forces were determined at 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, and 1,024 msec following the initial deflection of the pen from the baseline. Normalized force values were calculated by dividing the force expressed at the various time intervals by the maximum force generated under that condition at 1,024 msec. For both absolute and normalized rate of force development, the highest rate was attained between 32–64 msec. During that time period, the rate of absolute force development was reduced 10% at the 80% MVC level, 30...