Relationship of fatigued run and rapid stop to ground reaction forces, lower extremity kinematics, and muscle activation

Fatigue may be related to lower extremity injury. The effect of lower extremity fatigue on ground reaction force production, lower extremity kinematics, and muscle activation during the landing phase of a run and rapid stop was investigated. Subjects were 19 female, Division 4 collegiate basketball and volleyball players (X̄ age = 20.8 ± 1.8 years, X̄ weight = 71.7 ± 6.9 kg, X̄ height = 174 ± 5 cm). Dominant leg ground reaction and muscle activation data were sampled at 2,000 Hz. Lower extremity kinematic data were sampled at 200 Hz, and three-dimensional analysis was performed. Knee extensor/flexor muscle activation tended to be delayed during fatigue (p ≤ .08). Maximum knee flexion tended to occur earlier during fatigue (p ≤ .09). Step-wise multiple regression suggested that the knee may be the primary site of force attenuation following fatigue. During fatigue, biodynamical compensations in the mechanical properties of the knee extensor musculature, as evidenced by differences in knee kinematics and muscle activation times, may occur to enhance knee stability.