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. 2021 Aug 23:9:659138.
doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.659138. eCollection 2021.

Effects of Various Physical Interventions on Reducing Neuromuscular Fatigue Assessed by Electromyography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Xiao Hou  1 , Jingmin Liu  2 , Kaixiang Weng  3 , Lisa Griffin  4 , Laura A Rice  3 , Yih-Kuen Jan  3
Affiliations

Effects of Various Physical Interventions on Reducing Neuromuscular Fatigue Assessed by Electromyography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Xiao Hou et al. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Various interventions have been applied to improve recovery from muscle fatigue based on evidence from subjective outcomes, such as perceived fatigue and soreness, which may partly contribute to conflicting results of reducing muscle fatigue. There is a need to assess the effectiveness of various intervention on reducing neuromuscular fatigue assessed by a quantitative outcome, such as electromyography (EMG). The objective of this review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions and intervention timing for reducing fatigue rates during exercise. Methods: The literature was searched from the earliest record to March 2021. Eighteen studies with a total of 87 data points involving 281 participants and seven types of interventions [i.e., active recovery (AR), compression, cooling, electrical stimulation (ES), light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT), massage, and stretching] were included in this meta-analysis. Results: The results showed that compression (SMD = 0.28; 95% CI = -0.00 to 0.56; p = 0.05; I 2 = 58%) and LEDT (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.88; p = 0.01; I 2 = 52%) have a significant recovery effect on reducing muscle fatigue. Additionally, compression, AR, and cooling have a significant effect on reducing muscle fatigue when conducted during exercise, whereas a non-effective trend when applied after exercise. Discussion: This meta-analysis suggests that compression and LEDT have a significant effect on reducing muscle fatigue. The results also suggest that there is a significant effect or an effective trend on reducing muscle fatigue when compression, AR, cooling, and ES are applied during exercise, but not after exercise.

Keywords: electromyography; exercise; fatigue; intervention; muscle; recovery; rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flowchart of search procedure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effectiveness of active recovery (AR) conducted at different time points on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The effectiveness of stretching (ST) conducted at different time points on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The effectiveness of cooling (CLI) conducted at different time points on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The effectiveness of electrical stimulation (ES) conducted at different time points on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The effectiveness of compression (CP) conducted at different time points on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The effectiveness of massage (MSG) on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The effectiveness of light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on electromyography (EMG) signals of exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
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