Differential contributions of fatigue-induced strength loss and slowing of angular velocity to power loss following repeated maximal shortening contractions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue-induced reductions in isometric torque and isotonic power and to quantify the extent to which the decreases in angular velocity and dynamic torque can explain the power loss immediately following an isotonic fatiguing task and throughout recovery in seven young males and six young females. All measurements were performed with both legs. For dorsiflexion, fatigue-related time-course changes in isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, angular velocity, dynamic torque, and power production following repeated maximal isotonic contractions (load: 20% MVC) were investigated before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 5 and 10 min after a fatiguing task. There were no relationships between the fatigue-related reductions in isometric MVC torque and peak power at any timepoint, suggesting that fatigue-induced reductions in isometric MVC torque does not entirely reflect fatigue-induced changes in dynamic performance. The relative contribution of fatigue-related reduction in dynamic torque on power loss was greater immediately following the task, and lower throughout recovery than the corresponding decrease in angular velocity. Thus, power loss immediately following the task was more strongly related to the decline in dynamic torque; however, this relationship shifted throughout recovery to a greater dependence on slowing of angular velocity for power loss.