CONCLUSION On the basis of systematic review of relevant literature , it appears that muscle fatigue induces clear deteriorations in reactive postural control .
BACKGROUND Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury and fractures and the No. 1 cause of emergency department visits by older adults .
Although declines in muscle strength and sensory function contribute to increased falls in older adults , skeletal muscle fatigue is often overlooked as an additional contributor to fall risk .
In an effort to increase awareness of the detrimental effects of skeletal muscle fatigue on postural control , we sought to systematic ally review research studies examining this issue .
PURPOSE The specific purpose of this review was to provide a detailed assessment of how anticipatory and reactive postural control tasks are influenced by  acute muscle fatigue in healthy older individuals .
The effect of lower limb muscle fatigue on obstacle negotiation during walking in older adults.
Tripping over obstacles is a common cause of falls in older adults , and muscle fatigue , which can alter walking patterns , may add to this risk . To date , no study has examined the effect of lower limb muscle fatigue on obstacle negotiation in older adults . 30 older adults ( 13 women , aged 78.3 [ 6.2 ] years )  negotiated a 12 m obstacle course , while completing a visual secondary task , under two r and omized conditions : rested or fatigued . For the fatigue condition , participants performed a repeated sit-to-st and movement , as fast as possible , until they could no longer continue . Participants then immediately began walking trials . Kinematic and kinetic data were collected on approach to , during , and after crossing a height-adjustable target obstacle ( 10 % and 20 % of leg length ) . Repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant increase in lead limb vertical loading rate after stepping over the 10 % obstacle when fatigued , relative to rested ( P=0.046 ) . No other significant between-condition differences ( > 0.05 ) were observed for the other kinematic variables when negotiating the 10 % obstacle . Furthermore , no significant between-condition differences ( P>0.05 ) were observed for any kinetic or kinematic variables when negotiating the 20 % obstacle . This study describes a feasible method for investigating the consequences of lower limb muscle fatigue on obstacle crossing . The current finding of increased vertical loading rate when fatigued supports the need for further investigation into the effect of muscle fatigue on gait under different environmental conditions , fatiguing a range of muscles , analyzing a more comprehensive array of kinetic and kinematic measures , and in healthy and clinical population
CONCLUSION On the basis of systematic review of relevant literature , it appears that muscle fatigue induces clear deteriorations in reactive postural control .
BACKGROUND Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury and fractures and the No. 1 cause of emergency department visits by older adults .
Although declines in muscle strength and sensory function contribute to increased falls in older adults , skeletal muscle fatigue is often overlooked as an additional contributor to fall risk .
In an effort to increase awareness of the detrimental effects of skeletal muscle fatigue on postural control , we sought to systematic ally review research studies examining this issue .
PURPOSE The specific purpose of this review was to provide a detailed assessment of how anticipatory and reactive postural control tasks are influenced by  acute muscle fatigue in healthy older individuals .