Effects of acute lower limb and trunk fatigue on balance, performance and skin temperature in healthy subjects

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of acute lower limb and trunk fatigue on balance, performance and skin temperature in healthy subjects. Methods: Twenty healthy male participants were included in the study. Different fatigue protocols were applied to the participants on two separate days. Participants' balance was evaluated with Y balance test, trunk performance with plank test, lower extremity performance with Triple Leg Hop for distance and Countermovejump Test and region of interest temperatures with a thermal camera. Results While acute trunk muscle fatigue did not affect balance and lower extremity performance, it was found that it decreased trunk performance (p <0.05). It was found that lower extremity muscle fatigue negatively affected balance and both trunk and lower extremity performance (p <0.05). Lower extremity fatigue affected both balance and performance more than trunk fatigue. While similar effects were observed in body skin surface temperatures, lower extremity fatigue caused a significant increase in temperature on surfaces close to the knee (p <0.05).Conclusion: According to the results of our study; Acute lower extremity fatigue negatively affects balance, lower extremity and trunk performance, and increases quadriceps region of interest temperature. Acute trunk fatigue, on the other hand, does not affect balance and lower extremity region of interest temperature, but negatively affects trunk performance. Lower extremity muscle fatigue further alters lower extremity performance.