Acute fatigue effects on ground reaction force of lower limbs during countermovement jumps

Authors

  • Carlos Gabriel Fabrica Departamento de Biofísica (Unidad de Investigación en Biomecánica de la Locomoción Humana), Facultad de Medicina de Universidad de la República, Montevideo
  • Paula González Rodríguez Departamento de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física, Facultad de Medicina de Universidad de la República, Montevideo
  • Jefferson Fagundes Loss Escola de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRG, Porto Alegre, RS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/4982

Keywords:

Biomechanics. Muscle Rigidity. Task Performance. Fatigue.

Abstract

Parameters associated with the performance of countermovement jumps were identified from vertical ground reaction force recordings during fatigue and resting conditions. Fourteen variables were defined, dividing the vertical ground reaction force into negative and positive external working times and times in which the vertical ground reaction force values were lower and higher than the participant's body weight. We attempted to explain parameter variations by considering the relationship between the set of contractile and elastic components of the lower limbs. We determined that jumping performance is based on impulsion optimization and not on instantaneous ground reaction force value: the time in which the ground reaction force was lower than the body weight, and negative external work time was lower under fatigue. The results suggest that, during fatigue, there is less contribution from elastic energy and from overall active state. However, the participation of contractile elements could partially compensate for the worsening of jumping performance.

Author Biography

Jefferson Fagundes Loss, Escola de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRG, Porto Alegre, RS

Engenharia Elétrica (PUCRS-1986), e doutorado em Engenharia Mecânica (UFRGS-2001), com ênfase na área de Biomecânica. Professor Associado da Escola de Educação Física da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, atua no âmbito da graduação e pós-graduação latu e strictu sensus, nas áreas de Biomecânica, Instrumentação e Análise de Sinais. Sua principal área de investigação está focada na análise das forças atuantes sobre o corpo humano e a respectiva repercussão sobre as estruturas músculo-esqueléticas.

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Published

2013-11-25

Issue

Section

Original Articles