Assignment task:
Understanding the mechanisms of fatigue during exercise is essential for optimizing performance and training. Fatigue can be divided into central and peripheral fatigue, and the specific impact of these intensities at task failure is poorly understood (Gandevia, 2001). This study addresses the gap in the literature about how different exercise intensities affect the balance between central and peripheral fatigue, specifically at task failure. By exploring these differences, the research aims to inform strategies for managing fatigue, enhancing athletic performance, and improving rehabilitation protocols in clinical settings. In other words, this research will contribute to a better understanding of fatigue mechanisms, offering insights for developing effective exercise guidelines and interventions. We hypothesize that during exercise, greater central fatigue will be observable following long-duration, lower-intensity cycling (95% of the power output at the gas exchange threshold), as demonstrated by a more significant decline in voluntary activation compared to high-intensity exercise. In comparison, greater peripheral fatigue is expected following shorter-duration, high-intensity cycling (85% of VO2 max), as demonstrated by a larger decrease in resting twitch force in the high-intensity condition compared to the low-intensity condition. This study involves participants cycling at these two intensities on separate days until they can no longer maintain the required cadence. Need Online Assistance?