Biochemical basis of muscular fatigue associated with repetitious contractions of skeletal muscle

Abstract

The decline in force generating capabilities of skeletal muscle associated with prolonged, repetitive low force producing contractions does have a biochemical basis. It is our view that an alteration in neuromuscular transmission results in an uncoupling of excitation-contraction via disturbances in Ca2+ imbalance, an uncoupling of energy utilization and production may result, which affect a favourable cellular environment for the initiation of myofilament degradation. The myofilament dissolution may be the last stage in this fatigue process and associated with only extreme conditions of muscle use.