Effect of Bilateral and Unilateral Plantarflexor Muscle Fatigue on Blind Navigation Precision and Gait Parameters

Natalie RicherFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Etienne J. BissonSchool of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Martin BilodeauFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.;Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Nicole PaquetFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Yves LajoieFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.Correspondence[email protected]

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the impact of bilateral and unilateral fatigue of the plantarflexor muscles on blind navigation. Thirty-eight young adults walked 8-m without vision before fatigue (pre-fatigue), then fatigued either one or both of their plantarflexor muscles by performing isometric contractions. After each fatigue, two blind navigation trials were performed (post-fatigue trials 1 and 2). Results revealed no effect of bilateral muscle fatigue on navigation precision and gait parameters. Unilateral muscle fatigue led to longer linear distance travelled during post-fatigue trial 2 compared to pre-fatigue and to a change in angular deviation between pre- and post-fatigue. In general, results suggest that participants were able to make adaptive changes to counter muscle fatigue during blind navigation.

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Effect of Bilateral and Unilateral Plantarflexor Muscle Fatigue on Blind Navigation Precision and Gait Parameters

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Effect of Bilateral and Unilateral Plantarflexor Muscle Fatigue on Blind Navigation Precision and Gait Parameters

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