Neuromuscular fatigue during a long-duration cycling exercise

The effects of prolonged cycling on neuromuscular parameters were studied in nine endurance-trained subjects during a 5-h exercise sustained at 55% of the maximal aerobic power. Torque during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps muscle decreased progressively throughout the exercise ( P < 0.01) and was 18% less at the end of exercise compared with the preexercise value. Peak twitch torque, contraction time, and total area of mechanical response decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) after the first hour of exercise. In contrast, changes in M-wave characteristics were significant only after the fourth hour of the exercise. Significant reductions ( P < 0.05) in electro…