Sex differences in fatigue resistance are muscle group dependent

Abstract

Purpose: Women are often reported to be generally more resistant to fatigue than men for relative-intensity tasks. This has been observed repeatedly for elbow flexors, whereas at the ankle, sex differences appear less robust, suggesting localized rather than systemic influences. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in fatigue resistance at muscle groups in a single cohort and which factors, if any, predict endurance time.

Methods: Thirty-two young adults (age = 19-44 yr, 16 women) performed sustained isometric contractions at 50% maximum voluntary isometric contraction to failure for elbow flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. Pain, exertion, and muscle EMG were assessed throughout. Self-reported baseline activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: Women were significantly more resistant to fatigue than men at the elbow (112.3 ± 6.2 vs 80.3 ± 5.8 s, P = 0.001) but not at the ankle (140.6 ± 10.7 vs 129.2 ± 10.5 s, P = 0.45). Peak torque was greater in men than that in women (P < 0.0001) at the ankle (45.0 ± 1.7 vs 30.1 ± 1.0 N·m) and at the elbow (75.7 ± 3.1 vs 34.4 ± 2.2 N·m). Peak torque was significantly related to endurance time at the elbow (R2= 0.30) but not at the ankle (R2 = 0.03). Peak pain, rate of pain increase, peak exertion, EMG, and baseline physical activity did not differ between sexes.

Conclusions: Sex differences in fatigue resistance are muscle group specific. Women were more fatigue resistant at the elbow but not at the ankle during a sustained isometric contraction. Further, factors that may contribute to fatigue resistance for one muscle group (e.g., sex, peak torque) may not be critical at another.

Figure 1

Mean (SEM) endurance time (A), peak torque (B), and peak torque normalized by body mass (C) for the ankle and elbow muscle groups by sex. * Significant difference between sexes (p < 0.05). + Significant difference between muscle groups (p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Linear regressions of endurance time versus absolute (A, B) and normalized (C, D) peak torque are shown for the elbow flexors (A, C) and ankle dorsiflexors (B, D).

Figure 3

Mean EMG for ankle and elbow muscle groups by sex. * Significant difference over time for both muscle groups (p < 0.0001). + Significant difference between muscle groups (p < 0.05)

Figure 4

Mean (SEM) peak pain (A), rate of pain increase per minute (B), peak exertion (C), and rate of exertion increase per minute (D) for ankle and elbow muscle groups and sex. * Significant difference between sexes (p < 0.05). + Significant difference between muscle groups (p < 0.05).