Fatigue-induced changes in electromyographic activity after repeated racing turns: a pilot study.

PURPOSE

Alpine skiing races are physically demanding events characterized by numerous repeated near-maximal activations of the lower limb muscles. Although this type of task is known to induce neuromuscular fatigue, electromyographic activity (EMG) adaptations after repeated maximal-intensity skiing have not been previously investigated.

METHODS

Six skiers completed a 6-turns section with (FAT) and without performing 30 giant slalom (GS) turns (CONT). Isometric knee extensors maximal force (F) was measured before and immediately after both conditions. On-snow EMG activity of VM, VL, RF, BF, SMST and GM muscles were compared between conditions for both the outside (OL) and inside (IL) legs using turn-averaged EMG amplitude (RMS and RMS) and EMG mean power frequency (MPF and MPF). EMG time-frequency maps were also computed and compared between conditions using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis.

RESULTS

F was significantly lower after FAT (-20.1%, p < 0.001), but did not change after CONT. RMS was lower in FAT for BF (-26.8%, p = 0.020). RMS was lower in FAT for VM (-24.7%, p = 0.036) and GM (-27.3%, p = 0.021). MPF was lower in FAT for VM (-8.2%, p = 0.028), VL (-11.3%, p = 0.025), RF (-13.1%, p = 0.007), SMST (-9.3%, p = 0.004) and GM (-7.4%, p = 0.034). MPF was lower in FAT for VM (-13.0%, p = 0.016) and RF (-11.1%, p = 0.034). SPM analysis indicated that the initiation phase of the turn was specifically affected.

CONCLUSION

Thirty GS turns led to a substantial decrease in F and altered motor command, as indicated by reduced EMG frequency content, specifically in the initiation phase of the turn. The present pilot data highlight the importance of characterizing neuromuscular fatigue in competitive GS skiing.