The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance

# Background Fatigue is common in sports, impairing performance and increasing injury risk, yet little is known regarding fatigue and concussion. Impaired neck neuromuscular function may contribute to concussion at baseline, where central fatigue may further impair neck function resulting in increa...

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Main Authors: Antonio Vintimilla, Troy Hooper, C. Roger James, Ho Cheng Lu, Karthick Natesan, Jeegisha Kapila, Phil Sizer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2024-03-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.92703
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author Antonio Vintimilla
Troy Hooper
C. Roger James
Ho Cheng Lu
Karthick Natesan
Jeegisha Kapila
Phil Sizer
author_facet Antonio Vintimilla
Troy Hooper
C. Roger James
Ho Cheng Lu
Karthick Natesan
Jeegisha Kapila
Phil Sizer
author_sort Antonio Vintimilla
collection DOAJ
description # Background Fatigue is common in sports, impairing performance and increasing injury risk, yet little is known regarding fatigue and concussion. Impaired neck neuromuscular function may contribute to concussion at baseline, where central fatigue may further impair neck function resulting in increased concussion risk. These effects may be magnified in athletes with a history of concussion. # Purpose To determine the effect of exercise induced central fatigue on neck joint position error, strength, and endurance in healthy subjects and those with a history of concussion. The investigators hypothesized that EICF would have a negative effect on all variables. # Study Design Healthy subjects were examined using a single factor, within-subjects repeated measures design. Concussion history subjects were examined using a single-subject design. # Methods Nineteen healthy subjects and five subjects with a history of concussion were recruited for the study. Cervical joint position error, muscle strength, and neck flexor endurance were tested before and after exercise induced fatigue. # Results There was a significant increase in constant (p = 0.0027) and absolute joint position error (JPE) (p \< 0.001); decrease in neck flexor endurance (p \< 0.001); and decrease neck strength into cervical flexion (p = 0.01) in healthy subjects following fatigue. Among concussion history subjects, five demonstrated a significant increase in absolute and constant JPE (p \< 0.05); four demonstrated a significant decrease in neck flexor endurance (p \< 0.05); one in neck flexion muscle strength (p \< 0.05); and three in neck extension and rotation muscle strength (p \< 0.05) following fatigue. # Conclusions Cervical neuromuscular function deteriorated following fatigue in healthy subjects. Resulting impairments may affect force alterations in cervical control, potentially increasing concussion risk. Concussion history subjects descriptively demonstrated similar results, however further research should examine formal comparisons involving subjects with and without concussion history. # Level of Evidence 3b
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spelling doaj-art-95d8008fd9f148068c009374cd4b0edb2025-02-11T20:29:41ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962024-03-01193The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and EnduranceAntonio VintimillaTroy HooperC. Roger JamesHo Cheng LuKarthick NatesanJeegisha KapilaPhil Sizer# Background Fatigue is common in sports, impairing performance and increasing injury risk, yet little is known regarding fatigue and concussion. Impaired neck neuromuscular function may contribute to concussion at baseline, where central fatigue may further impair neck function resulting in increased concussion risk. These effects may be magnified in athletes with a history of concussion. # Purpose To determine the effect of exercise induced central fatigue on neck joint position error, strength, and endurance in healthy subjects and those with a history of concussion. The investigators hypothesized that EICF would have a negative effect on all variables. # Study Design Healthy subjects were examined using a single factor, within-subjects repeated measures design. Concussion history subjects were examined using a single-subject design. # Methods Nineteen healthy subjects and five subjects with a history of concussion were recruited for the study. Cervical joint position error, muscle strength, and neck flexor endurance were tested before and after exercise induced fatigue. # Results There was a significant increase in constant (p = 0.0027) and absolute joint position error (JPE) (p \< 0.001); decrease in neck flexor endurance (p \< 0.001); and decrease neck strength into cervical flexion (p = 0.01) in healthy subjects following fatigue. Among concussion history subjects, five demonstrated a significant increase in absolute and constant JPE (p \< 0.05); four demonstrated a significant decrease in neck flexor endurance (p \< 0.05); one in neck flexion muscle strength (p \< 0.05); and three in neck extension and rotation muscle strength (p \< 0.05) following fatigue. # Conclusions Cervical neuromuscular function deteriorated following fatigue in healthy subjects. Resulting impairments may affect force alterations in cervical control, potentially increasing concussion risk. Concussion history subjects descriptively demonstrated similar results, however further research should examine formal comparisons involving subjects with and without concussion history. # Level of Evidence 3bhttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.92703
spellingShingle Antonio Vintimilla
Troy Hooper
C. Roger James
Ho Cheng Lu
Karthick Natesan
Jeegisha Kapila
Phil Sizer
The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance
title_full The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance
title_fullStr The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance
title_short The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance
title_sort effect of exercise induced central fatigue on cervical spine joint position error strength and endurance
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.92703
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