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Cited by 192Cardiovascular and exercise physiologySports Performance and TrainingMuscle activation and electromyography studies

Slower fatigue and faster recovery of the adductor pollicis muscle in women matched for strength with men

Open access
Fulco, Rock, Muza, Lammi, Cymerman, Butterfield, Moore, Braun +1 more·1999·Acta Physiologica Scandinavica
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-201x.1999.00613.x
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Abstract

In previous gender comparisons of muscle performance, men and women rarely have been closely matched, absolute force has not been equalized, and rates of fatigue and early recovery have not been determined. We compared adductor pollicis muscle performance at a similar absolute force development in healthy men and women (both n=9) matched for adductor pollicis maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force (132 ± 5 N for women and 136 ± 4 N for men, mean ± SE, P > 0.05). Subjects repeated static contractions at a target force of ≈50% of MVC force of rested muscle (68 ± 3 N or 51.9 ± 1.0% MVC for women and 72 ± 2 N or 53.0 ± 2.0% MVC for men, P > 0.05) for 5 s followed by 5 s rest until exhaustion, i.e. inability to maintain the target force for 5 s. MVC force was measured following each minute of exercise, at exhaustion, and after each minute for 3 min of passive recovery. For women compared with men: MVC force fell less after 1 min of exercise (to 93 ± 1% vs. 80 ± 3% of MVC force of rested muscle, respectively, P < 0.05); MVC force (N min–1) fell ≈2‐fold slower (P < 0.05); and endurance time to exhaustion was nearly two times longer (14.7 ± 1.6 min vs. 7.9 ± 0.7 min, P < 0.05). After declining to a similar level of MVC force of rested muscle at exhaustion (56 ± 1% for women and 56 ± 3% for men), MVC force rose faster in women than in men (to 71 ± 2% vs. 65 ± 3% of MVC force of rested muscle, respectively; P < 0.05) during the first minute of recovery. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that slower adductor pollicis muscle fatigue in women is linked with differences between men and women both in impairment of force generating capacity, per se, and in rates of recovery between contractions.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In healthy men and women matched for adductor pollicis maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, women fatigued more slowly, endured intermittent static contractions nearly twice as long, and recovered force faster in the first minute after exhaustion than men. The authors attribute the slower fatigue partly to a greater capacity to recover force between contractions, possibly via oxidative phosphorylation in fast-twitch fibres.

Key findings

  • After 1 min of intermittent static contractions at ~50% MVC, MVC force fell to 93 ± 1% of rested MVC in women versus 80 ± 3% in men (P < 0.05), a ~3-fold greater fall in men (−27 ± 4 N vs. −9 ± 2 N, P < 0.01).
  • Overall fatigue rate was ~2-fold slower in women: mean linear slope of MVC decline was −3.9 ± 0.5 N min⁻¹ for women vs. −8.0 ± 2.1 N min⁻¹ for men (P < 0.05).
  • Endurance time to exhaustion was nearly twice as long in women (14.7 ± 1.6 min vs. 7.9 ± 0.7 min, P < 0.05); all men completed 4 min but none exceeded 12 min, while all women completed 10 min and only three of nine had reached exhaustion by minute 12.
  • Exhaustion occurred at similar force in both sexes (56 ± 1% vs. 56 ± 3% of rested MVC, P > 0.05), but during the first minute of recovery MVC force rose faster in women (to 71 ± 2% vs. 65 ± 3% of rested MVC, P < 0.05); no significant gender difference remained at minutes 2 and 3.

Methods

  • Cross-sectional comparison of 9 women and 9 men matched as closely as possible for rested adductor pollicis MVC force (132 ± 5 N vs. 136 ± 4 N, P > 0.05); matching was done by ranking results within each gender and discarding data from 8 women and 2 men out of 17 women and 11 men originally tested.
  • Subjects performed intermittent static adductor pollicis contractions (5 s at a target of 50% of rested MVC, followed by 5 s rest) until exhaustion, with an MVC substituted every sixth contraction; MVCs were also measured at exhaustion and each minute for 3 min of passive recovery.
  • Analysis used two-tailed unpaired t-tests for rested MVC, fatigue rate and endurance time, and two-factor ANOVA (gender × time) with Tukey's multiple comparison procedure for exercise and recovery force; significance set at P < 0.05. Women were tested in Palo Alto, CA and men in Natick, MA, using identical apparatus, procedures and investigators.

Limitations

  • The paper states the design did not include measurements to distinguish potential gender differences in impairment of muscle activation (central motor drive, neuromuscular propagation, reflex excitation) as a cause of fatigue.
  • The paper states the findings do not identify precise mechanisms responsible for the gender differences; the fibre-type and oxidative-phosphorylation explanations are explicitly presented as hypotheses.
  • Evident from the text: men and women were tested at two different study locations, and the strength-matching procedure discarded a substantial portion of the originally tested subjects (8 of 17 women, 2 of 11 men), which the paper does not discuss as a limitation.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1046/j.1365-201x.1999.00613.x

Cites

33 of 33 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 23 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Overall adductor pollicis muscle fatigue rate was approximately 2-fold slower for women than for men (mean linear slope of MVC decline -3.9±0.5 N/min for women vs -8.0±2.1 N/min for men, P<0.05).

    “MVC force (N min ±1 ) fell %2-fold slower (P < 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “Overall adductor pollicis muscle fatigue rate was %2-fold slower for women than for men.Mean linear slope of decline of adductor pollicis MVC force was ±3.9 0.5 N min )1 for women vs. ±8.02.1 N min )1 for men (P < 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.
  • Findingown data

    For each of the nine matched pairs, the woman had a longer endurance time to exhaustion than the man.

    “For each of the nine pairs of men and women matched on rested MVC force, the woman had a longer endurance time to exhaustion (Fig. 4b).”
    • Also stated in: § DISCUSSION · plain
      “For each matched pair, each woman had a longer endurance time than each man.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.
  • Findingown data

    After 1 min of intermittent static contractions at 50% MVC, adductor pollicis MVC force fell less in women than in men (to 93±1% vs 80±3% of rested MVC; P<0.05).

    “For women compared with men: MVC force fell less after 1 min of exercise (to 93 1% vs. 80 3% of MVC force of rested muscle, respectively, P < 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “By the end of the ®rst minute of intermittent static contractions, adductor pollicis MVC force had, from resting levels, fallen to 80 3% (P < 0.01) in men but only to 93 1% (P < 0.05) in women ± approximately a 3-fold greater fall for men compared with women (±27 4 N vs. ±9 2 N, respectively, P < 0.01)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.
  • Findingown data

    Endurance time to exhaustion was nearly two times longer in women than in men (14.7±1.6 min vs 7.9±0.7 min, P<0.05).

    “endurance time to exhaustion was nearly two times longer (14.7 1.6 min vs. 7.9 0.7 min, P < 0.05).”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “Overall, endurance time to exhaustion was almost 2-fold longer (P < 0.05) for women than for men (14.7 1.6 vs. 7.9 0.7 min, respectively).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.
  • Findingown data

    During the first minute of recovery after exhaustion, MVC force rose faster in women than in men (to 71±2% vs 65±3% of rested MVC, P<0.05).

    “MVC force rose faster in women than in men (to 71 2% vs. 65 3% of MVC force of rested muscle, respectively; P < 0.05) during the ®rst minute of recovery.”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “By minute 1 following exhaustion, MVC force of the adductor pollicis muscle recovered more quickly for women than for men, reaching 71 2% vs. 65 3% of rested MVC force, respectively, (P < 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.
  • May combine two claims. 7
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 10
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    All men completed 4 min of static contractions at ~50% MVC but none could exercise beyond minute 12; all women completed 10 min, and by minute 12 only three of nine women had reached exhaustion.

    “All men were able to complete 4 min of static contractions at %50% MVC force but none could exercise beyond minute 12.In contrast, all women were able to complete 10 min of intermittent static contractions at the target force approximating 50% MVC.By minute 12, only three of the nine women had reached exhaustion.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Adductor pollicis muscle performance test results did not differ significantly between follicular and luteal menstrual cycle phases in women.

    “For the women, no statistically signi®cant differences in adductor pollicis muscle performance test results were observed between their follicular and luteal menstrual cycle phases (Fulco et al. 1998).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fulco et al. 1998

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A more complete resynthesis of muscle high-energy phosphate between contractions would result in increased removal of products of high-energy phosphate breakdown such as inorganic phosphate and ADP; accumulations of these are likely to impair muscle performance.

    “A more complete resynthesis of muscle high-energy phosphate between contractions would result in increased removal of products of highenergy phosphate breakdown such as inorganic phosphate and ADP; accumulations of which are likely to impair muscle performance (Cooke & Pate 1985, Sahlin et al. 1997).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cooke & Pate 1985

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Sahlin et al. 1997

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The target submaximal force was similar in absolute and relative terms between women and men (68±3 N or 51.9±1.0% MVC for women vs 72±2 N or 53.0±2.0% MVC for men, P>0.05).

    “Subjects repeated static contractions at a target force of %50% of MVC force of rested muscle (68 3 N or 51.9 1.0% MVC for women and 72 2 N or 53.0 2.0% MVC for men, P > 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “Absolute force developed at the target force of 50% of MVC was 68 3 N (range: 58±82 N) for women and 72 2 N (range: 62±80 N) for men (P > 0.05).These absolute forces represented 51.9 1.0% MVC force for women and 53.0 2.0% MVC force for men.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Recent observations challenge Merton's earlier conclusion of virtually no neural component to fatigue during voluntary contractions of the adductor pollicis muscle.

    “Recent observations (Herbert & Gandevia 1996) challenge Merton's earlier conclusion of virtually no neural component to fatigue during voluntary contractions of the adductor pollicis muscle (Merton 1954).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Herbert & Gandevia 1996

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Merton 1954

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The nine women and nine men studied were matched for adductor pollicis MVC force of rested muscle, with no significant difference (132±5 N vs 136±4 N, P>0.05).

    “We compared adductor pollicis muscle performance at a similar absolute force development in healthy men and women (both n 9) matched for adductor pollicis maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force (132 5 N for women and 136 4 N for men, mean SE, P > 0.05).”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “Adductor pollicis muscle strength was 132 5 N (range: 118±156 N) vs. 136 4 N (range: 113±151 N) for women and men, respectively (P > 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The slower rate of muscle fatigue in women was partly associated with a greater capacity for oxidative phosphorylation in the fast-twitch fibres of the adductor pollicis, leading to a more complete recovery of high-energy phosphate to fuel muscle performance during rest periods between contractions.

    “From this line of reasoning, we postulate that the slower rate of muscle fatigue in women was partly associated with a greater capacity for oxidative phosphorylation in the fast-twitch ®bres of the adductor pollicis leading to a more complete recovery of highenergy phosphate to fuel muscle performance during rest periods between contractions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There is ample general evidence that processes initiated in the nervous system also may contribute to impaired performance of fatigued muscle.

    “There is ample general evidence that, in addition to events originating in active muscle, processes initiated in the nervous system also may contribute to impaired performance of fatigued muscle (cf.Gandevia et al. 1995).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gandevia et al. 1995

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Each gender indicated participation to a very similar degree in regular physical activity and sport.

    “In response to a physical activity questionnaire, each gender indicated participation to a very similar degree in regular physical activity and sport.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The more rapid early recovery of MVC force for women than for men after exhausting exercise implies a faster recovery of force between submaximal contractions and suggests the slower rate of adductor pollicis muscle fatigue and superior muscle endurance of women relates in part to an enhanced ability to recover between intense muscular contractions.

    “The more rapid early recovery of MVC force for women than for men after exhausting exercise implies a faster recovery of force between submaximal contractions and suggests the slower rate of adductor pollicis muscle fatigue and superior muscle endurance of women relates in part to an enhanced ability to recover between intense muscular contractions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Subjects underwent at least one preliminary adductor pollicis muscle testing session prior to the definitive experiments to ensure familiarization with equipment, personnel, procedures, and execution of intermittent static contractions.

    “To ensure familiarization with all equipment, personnel and procedures and to learn to execute intermittent static contractions exclusively with the adductor pollicis muscle, subjects underwent at least one preliminary adductor pollicis muscle testing session prior to the de®nitive experiments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The gender difference observed may relate in part to a difference between men and women in the degree of muscle activation.

    “These observations (Herbert & Gandevia 1996) are consistent with the view that the gender difference observed by us also may relate in part to a difference between men and women in the degree of muscle activation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Herbert & Gandevia 1996

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The present experimental design did not include measurements to distinguish potential gender differences in impairment of muscle activation as a cause of voluntary muscle fatigue.

    “However, the present experimental design did not include measurements to distinguish potential gender differences in impairment of muscle activation as a cause of voluntary muscle fatigue.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    A gender difference in the extent of impairment of activation of fatigued muscle may relate to a potential male-female difference in central motor drive, impaired neuromuscular propagation and/or a fall in neural excitation of muscle of reflex origin.

    “A gender difference in the extent of impairment of activation of fatigued muscle ± as evidenced by a different relationship between falling muscle force and declining electromyographic activity in men vs. women (Hakkinen 1993) ± may relate to a potential male-female difference in central motor drive, impaired neuromuscular propagation and/or a fall in neural excitation of muscle of re¯ex origin.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hakkinen 1993

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The women performed muscle testing at Palo Alto and men at Natick, but identical apparatus, testing and calibration procedures, force transducer, force feedback display, and data recorder were used by the same investigators at both locations, with ambient temperature 20-23°C.

    “The women performed muscle testing at the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center of the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA (altitude: 30 m).The men were tested at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, MA (altitude: 50 m).At both locations, the identical muscle testing apparatus, testing and calibration procedures, force trans”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
15 of 15

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The observed gender differences in adductor pollicis fatigue and recovery are not due to differences between the groups in age, height, or weight.

    “Age, height, and weight were 24 1 year, 169 2 cm, and 64 3 kg for the women and 29 1 year, 179 2 cm and 79 3 kg for the men.”
1 of 1

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Endurance is longer in women (15 min) compared with men (8 min), and after reaching exhaustion, recovery occurs faster in women than in men.

    “Endurance is longer in women (15 min) compared with men (8 min), and after reaching exhaustion, recovery occurs faster in women than in men (31).”

    From Sex-Based Differences in Skeletal Muscle Kinetics and Fiber-Type Composition (2015) · cites this paper as [31]

  • After intermittent bouts of isometric contraction (5 s on and 5 s off) in the adductor pollicis muscle, women fatigue more slowly and to a smaller degree than men.

    “After intermittent bouts of isometric contraction (5 s on and 5 s off) in the adductor pollicis muscle, women fatigue more slowly and to a smaller degree than men (31).”

    From Sex-Based Differences in Skeletal Muscle Kinetics and Fiber-Type Composition (2015) · cites this paper as [31]

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Related

Authors
Fulco, Rock, Muza, Lammi, Cymerman, Butterfield, Moore, Braun, & Lewis
Affiliations
  • U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (US)
  • Boston University (US)
  • Stanford University (US)
Corresponding author
Fulco
Venue
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1999-11
Volume
167
Issue
3
Pages
233-239
ISSN
  • 0001-6772 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-201X
DOI
10.1046/j.1365-201x.1999.00613.x
OpenAlex
W2081459731
Semantic Scholar
6fea1dc572e42d68f559b85ac5c3cd9ef5a63207
Cited by
192
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 7
FWCI
6.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 784 d)
Locations
  • Acta Physiologica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
Keywords
adductor pollicis, muscle fatigue, fatigue recovery, sex differences, endurance, isometric contraction, women
MeSH terms
Adult, Electric Stimulation, Exercise Test, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle Contraction, Sex Characteristics, Thumb, Transducers, Pressure, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscle Fatigue

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