Physiology Commons^™

Sex Differences In Fatigability Of Dynamic Contractions, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Women are usually less fatigable than men during single-limb isometric contractions, primarily because of sex-related differences in contractile mechanisms. It is less clear whether these sex differences in muscle fatigue occur for dynamic fatiguing tasks. This review highlights new findings that the sex difference in fatigability for dynamic shortening contractions with a single limb is dependent on the contraction velocity and the muscle group involved. Recent studies demonstrate that women are less fatigable than men for a dynamic task as follows: (i) the elbow-flexor muscles at slow- but not high-velocity contractions; and (ii) the knee-extensor muscles when muscle fatigue was …