Effects of exercise-induced fatigue with and without hydration on static postural control in adult human subjects

Postural instability can be the result of various factors, including fatigue. Although it is well known that exercise-induced fatigue may be responsible for a decrease in performance, its effects on postural control, as well as those of hydration, have been relatively little explored. This study evaluated the effects of fatigue, with and without rehydration, on postural control in 10 healthy subjects who regularly practice sports activities. All subjects were submitted to three types of ergocycle exercises: maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) and submaximal exercises in no-hydrated and hydrated conditions at a power corresponding to approximately 60% of the Vo(2max) of each subject. Static posturographic tests were performed immediately before (control) and after exercises. The postural control performance decreased from the best to the worst: control, hydration, dehydration, and Vo(2max). Fast Fourier transformation of the center of foot pressure showed three patterns of amplitude spectral density, with an increase of spectral amplitude for dehydration, more important for Vo(2max) conditions. Spectral amplitudes for control and hydration conditions were relatively similar. This hierarchy suggests that fatigue mainly alters muscular effectors and sensory inputs, such as proprioception, resulting in poor postural regulation. Moreover, fluid ingestion could be responsible for the preservation of muscular functions and of sensory afferences accurately regulating postural control.