THE EFFECTS OF ACTIVITY RELATED FATIGUE ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC POSTURAL CONTROL IN COLLEGE ATHLETES.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of activity related fatigue on static and dynamic postural control in college athletes. Thirty college athletes (15 males, 15 females, age = 22.32 ± 0.92 years, height = 169.5 ± 5.7cm, and weight = 64.2 ± 3.4 kg) participated in this study voluntary. Leg stance time and Star Excursion Balance Test were used for evaluation of static and dynamic postural control, respectively. Subjects performed a functional fatigued protocol that lasted 15 minutes. Using the Borg scale, also measured rating of perceived exertion before, middle and after the fatigue protocol. Repeated measure (1×3) ANOVA and post-hoc (LSD) was used for comparison of difference in fatigue reported scores. Paired sample test was used for comparison of difference between pre and post test in static and dynamic postural control. The findings indicated that dynamic postural control decreased after fatigue (P<0.05), in contrast there is no significant difference between pre and post test in static postural control (P< 0.05). Although it is not realistic to expect a coach to stop practice or decrease practice times because someone is experiencing fatigue which may lead to injury, this topic needs attention. To be realistic, most coaches could rearrange how practices are conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]