EFFECT OF 7-DAYS DRY IMMERSION IN COMBINATION WITH MECHANICAL STIMULATION OF FOOT SUPPORT ZONES UPON RESISTANCE TO FATIGUE OF KNEE EXTENSORS AND FLEXORS

摘要

The aim of investigation was to reveal the effect of supportlessness in combination with artificial stimulation of foot support zones on fatigue resistance of knee extensors and flexors in static and rhythmic tests. 10 volunteers were exposed to 7 days dry immersion (DI). 4 of them were subjected to mechanical stimulation of foot support zones. 7-day DI did not evoke any changes in fatigue resistance during rhythmic contractions of knee extensors and flexors in both groups. Static test revealed significant decrease of fatigue resistance of both knee flexors and extensors. In the group with stimulation of support zones unfavorable effects of immersion were minimized for knee extensors but not for flexors. Thus support withdrawal is associated with a decrease of fatigue resistance for both knee flexors and extensors only under conditions of static tension. Artificial stimulation of support zones of the foot selectively affects the posture muscles.