Impact of lower extremity muscle fatigue on performance of the star excursion balance test in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Examining the effects of lower extremity muscle fatigue in regards to performance on the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is the purpose of this study. The SEBT requires participants to reach in eight directions. An isokinetic dynamometer fatigued three muscle groups (knee extensors, hip abductors, and hip extensors) in 32 healthy participants aged 18-30. Each group was fatigued in three separate sessions one week apart after baseline testing. Muscle fatigue was reached when isokinetic force output was decreased by 50%. After fatigued SEBT reach distance was measured. A repeated measure ANOVA determined effects of fatigue on SEBT performance. The hypothesis was that SEBT performance would be altered following fatigued conditions.