A Comparison of Forearm Muscle Fatigue Rates for Static Hand Forces

Gaining insight into muscle function capabilities, specifically localized muscle fatigue, is an important research goal in ergonomics. The experiment sought to determine if fatigue rates are similar when muscle force is normalized to an individual's MVC. The value of the EMG median power frequency was examined after 5, 10, 15, and 20 seconds for the forearm flexors muscles and the forearm extensor muscles. Subjects were found to have a significant effect on the median power frequency, as did muscles, indicating that subjects fatigue at different rates even when given tasks that are normalized to their own capabilities.