Abstract Aim: This study aimed to verify whether different stage length affects the intensity of the Blood Glucose Threshold (BGT), and the agreement between evaluators for BGT determination. Methods: Fourteen subjects attended the laboratory during the first session to perform anthropometric measures and become familiar with procedures. In the following three sessions, subjects performed an incremental test on the ergometer bicycle and in each test a different protocol was performed in randomized order (1, 3- and 5-min stage) to identify BGT. Three different evaluators determined the BGT. Results: Our data show that the BGT is stage length-dependent (1, 3- and 5-min; P<0.0001). The intraclass correlation coefficient showed that there was a strong correlation among evaluators for all protocols (ICC = 0.8 to 1 min; ICC = 0.8 to 3 min; and ICC 0.9 to 5 min). However, one evaluator determined the BGT at a higher intensity than others. The peak load was lower at long stage length. Conclusion: We concluded that stage length influences the BGT intensity determination. The BGT presents a good agreement among evaluators. However, a minimum of two evaluators is needed for BGT determination. The peak load is affected by stage length.

Resumo Embora o impacto da fadiga muscular induzida antes da avaliação do equilíbrio postural tenha sido amplamente descrito, evidências recentes sugerem que hiperventilação e perdas sensório-motoras, ao invés de fadiga, são responsáveis por alterações no equilíbrio postural. Contudo, a associação entre fadiga muscular localizada (FML), induzida por protocolo de teste em dinamômetro isocinético e avaliada por meio de eletromiografia de superfície, e equilíbrio postural em adultos é pouco compreendida. Investigamos a associação entre FML do músculo reto femoral e equilíbrio postural estático em 51 homens adultos fisicamente ativos (43±14.8 anos; 26.9±5 kg/m2). Obtivemos atividade física habitual e equilíbrio postural, respectivamente, por meio de acelerometria triaxial e plataforma de força. A força e endurance musculares do músculo quadríceps femoral foram obtidas através de dinamometria isocinética e eletromiografia de superfície simultaneamente avaliadas. A associação entre a FML eletromiográfica e isocinética e o equilíbrio postural foi investigada por meio de modelos de regressão linear ajustados por idade, índice de massa corporal, força isocinética e FML eletromiográfica do quadríceps. As correlações entre equilíbrio postural, força isocinética e FML foram fracas a moderadas. Após análise multivariada, FML eletromiográfica foi determinante para equilíbrio postural, sobretudo para amplitude média e área e velocidade do COP na direção mediolateral, independente das variáveis isocinéticas. Portanto, FML apresenta papel determinante no equilíbrio postural de homens adultos fisicamente ativos. Os índices de fadiga são preditores significativos do equilíbrio postural, independente de indução da fadiga.

Abstract Although the determinant impact of exercise-induced muscle fatigue prior to postural balance assessment has been widely described, recent evidence suggests that hyperventilation and sensorimotor losses, rather than muscle fatigue, are responsible for the changes observed in postural balance. However, the association between localized muscle fatigue (LMF), induced by isokinetic dynamometer protocol test and assessed through surface electromyography, and postural balance in adults is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the association between the LMF of the rectus femoris and static postural balance in 51 adult men (43±14.8 years; 26.9±5 kg/m2). We obtained physical activity level and postural balance, respectively, through a triaxial accelerometry and a force platform. The quadriceps femoris strength and endurance were obtained using an isokinetic dynamometer and surface electromyography simultaneously. The association between the isokinetic and electromyographic LMF and static postural balance was investigated using linear regression models adjusted for age, body mass index, and isokinetic quadriceps strength and LMF. The correlations between postural balance variables and isokinetic muscle strength and LMF were weak-to-moderate. After multivariate analyses, we observed that electromyographic LMF were a predictor of postural balance, mainly of the mean amplitude and COP area and velocity in the mediolateral direction, regardless of isokinetic variables. Therefore, LMF plays a determinant role in the postural balance of physically active adult men. Fatigue indices are significant predictors of postural balance, regardless of previous fatigue induction.