DOES MUSCLE FATIGUE INFLUENCE THE RESPONSE OF THE EVERTER MUSCLES AFTER THE SIMULATION OF AN ANKLE SPRAIN?

Introduction: inversion ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries and it often occurs in the final phase of a training or competition. Although sprain is multifactorial, this characteristic leads to the hypothesis that muscle fatigue can be a predisposing factor to injury. Objective: the present study was set to investigate the neuromuscular response of the fibularis brevis and longus in conditions of fatigue. Methods: the study included 10 physically active female participants with no history of ankle sprain. To simulate the inversion ankle sprain, we used a simulation platform in which participant's feet were attached and, underneath the right foot strap only, there was a transducer. To induce fatigue, we first recorded the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in eversion. During the induction, the participants were instructed to maintain 70% of MVIC. When strength fell below 60% of MVIC, the protocol was interrupted and the participants were immediately placed on the simulation platform. Before and after fatigue, we conducted 10 sprain simulations in both ankles, randomly decided and simultaneously, the electromyographic signal registered. In the time domain, latency and signal amplitude were analyzed. Results: after fatigue, the latency did not change, however there was a reduction of the signal amplitude. The drop in amplitude can be considered a response to the process of fatigue. This decrease indicates a reduction in the ability to recruit motor units due to changes in the neural input that reaches the muscle. Conclusion: muscle fatigue reduces the amplitude of the response of the eversion muscles after ankle sprain.