Table 3 Neuromuscular fatigue and cognition
Study | Participants | Measures | Design | Evidence quality | Major findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temesi et al.[36] | 20 athletes (10 females and 10 males) who completed a 110 km trail ultramarathon Age 44 ± 7 years | Knee extensor and plantar flexor MVC, evoked responses, fatigue and pain scores | Cohort study | Low | Females showed less peripheral fatigue in plantar flexors than males (-23% vs -8% for potentiated twitch amplitude, p = 0.010). No difference in knee extensor peripheral fatigue Males demonstrated greater decrease in knee extensor MVC (-38% vs -29%, p = 0.006). No difference in plantar flexor MVC (-26% vs -31%). No significant sex differences in measures of central fatigue |
Besson et al.[37] | 36 athletes (18 females and 18 males) who competed in either short (< 60 km) or long (> 100 km) ultramarathons | Knee extensor and plantar flexor MVC, evoked responses, oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio (energy cost of running) | Cohort study | Low | Males had greater decrease in knee extensor MVC for all race distances (− 36% vs − 27%, p < 0.01). No significant difference in plantar flexor MVC Females displayed less peripheral fatigue in plantar flexors than males in races < 60 km (Δ peak twitch: − 10% vs − 24%, p < 0.05) Males had higher ratings for general fatigue in races < 60 km (p = 0.027). No sex differences in energy cost of running |
Wollseiffen et al.[38] | 11 athletes (6 females and 5 males) | Cognitive testing, EEG, mood state, flow state Scale-2 | Cohort study | Low | No significant changes in cognitive performance, brain cortical activity, or mood states in males or females Females had higher flow ratings at pre-race (Z =  − 2.22, p < 0.05), 3 h (Z =  − 2.48, p < 0.01) and 5 h (Z =  − 2.29, p < 0.05) time points |