Effect of Induced Muscular Fatigue on Balance and Core Strength in Normal Individuals

Background: Balance is the ability to maintain proper alignment of body segments with respect to each other. Muscular fatigue is a key factor which can influence performance via impaired joint proprioception and postural control. Fatigue alters the force generation capacity of the muscle and ultimately leads to task failure. The relationship between fatigue and balance is poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to assess if fatigue had an immediate effect on balance and core strength in healthy individuals, by checking the static and dynamic stability and the core muscle strength for spinal stability.

Aim: To find the effect of Induced muscular fatigue on Balance and Core strength in Normal Individuals. Methodology: Functional reach tests, Single Leg Stance, Core strength were measured Pre and post Fatigue, which was induced by squats performed till RPE of 10. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using paired 't' test.

Results: A significant reduction was found in the mean single leg stance time from 10.05 seconds pre-fatigue, to 3.01s post fatigue (p<0.05). The pre fatigue functional reach distance covered by individuals was 36.36cms which was reduced to 29.48cms post fatigue (p<0.05). There was also a reduction in the core muscle strength measured pre fatigue from 43.43mmHg to 43.16mmHg post fatigue statistically. (p<0.05)

Conclusion: Fatigue definitely has a significant reduction on Static balance, Dynamic balance&also on lumbar core strength as seen in normal individuals.