L’activité musculaire peut être caractérisée par la performance et un état de fatigue. Le muscle diaphragmatique est caractérisé par sa résistance à la fatigue, en faisant un témoin de capacité à l'autonomie respiratoire. Bien que cliniquement d'intérêt, la mesure de l'état de fatigue de ce muscle est difficile. Nous avons approché cette mesure en analysant les signaux de son activité électrique recueillis par contact. L'obtention des paramètres requière un traitement du signal. Nous avons développé les outils de recueil et de traitement de ce signal et les avons analysé pendant l'anesthésie. Le recueil a fait l'objet du développement d'une sonde multiélectrodes et des logiciels hardware et software de recueil du signal. L'analyse du signal a été l'objet de différentes méthodes mathématiques de débruitage temps réel sur des processeurs RISC-ARM, comparant des algorithmes de deux types d’ondelettes (MuRw, LiFw), et un filtre morphologique (MoFi), le choix portant finalement sur l'ondelette MuRw offrant le meilleur compromis en temps de calcul et en rapport signal sur bruit. L'évaluation clinique de sujets sains et de patients a montré la pertinence des paramètres fréquentiels de l'activité électrique MuRw du diaphragme comme représentants de son état de fatigue, en particulier par le rapport hautes sur basses fréquences obtenu par analyse spectrale / Muscular activity can be described in terms of performance and fatigue. Diaphragmatic muscle is charactarized by its resistance to fatigue, making of it a good representative of ventilatory autonomy. While of clinical interest, its measurement is difficult. We considered this measurement by analyzing the electrical diaphragmatic signal gathered from direct recordings. To be obtained, the parameters have to be filtered. We developped the tools to record as well as to filter the signal and have validated them in clinical settings during anesthesia and intensive care. A multielectrodes probe and the associated hardware and software were developped for the signal recording. The filtering which followed compared using differnt wavelet analysis algorithms (MuRw, LiFw), and a morphological filter (MoFi), through a RISC-ARM processor for a real-time measurement. MuRw was the best compromise for calcul duration and signal noise ratio. Clinical evaluation on patients and healthy volounteers demonstrated the pertinence of frequential parameters extracted from the filtered signal, particularly the High Low ratio obtained after spectral analysis

Apesar da prática da Ginástica Acrobática ser apontada por alguns estudos como um estímulo eficiente em gerar adaptações neuromusculares associadas a uma melhora no controle postural, até o presente momento nenhum estudo investigou o comportamento das oscilações posturais de ginastas da Ginástica Acrobática frente à manipulação de informações sensoriais, como por exemplo, na presença de informações táteis adicionais. Além disso, um grande número de estudos tem mostrado um aumento nas oscilações posturais em função da fadiga muscular. No entanto, não há na literatura investigações acerca dos efeitos da fadiga muscular sobre controle postural de ginastas da Ginástica Acrobática. Visto que diferentes tipos de treinamento físico, especialmente aqueles que requerem ações rápidas e habilidosas envolvendo equilíbrio e orientação corporal, induzem melhoras no controle postural, a hipótese levantada nesse estudo foi de que os ginastas da Ginástica Acrobática deveriam apresentar, após um protocolo de indução de fadiga muscular, um aumento nas oscilações posturais menos acentuados em comparação a não ginastas (i.e. um menor efeito da fadiga muscular sobre as oscilações posturais). Dessa forma, o objetivo desse estudo foi comparar, entre ginastas da Ginástica Acrobática (grupo GYN) e não ginastas (grupo CTRL), os efeitos da fadiga muscular dos flexores plantares do tornozelo sobre o controle postural, durante tarefas de postura unipodal com e sem a presença de informações táteis adicionais (i.e. com e sem contato do dedo indicador com uma superfície externa). Além disso, foi utilizada eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície de músculos do membro inferior e do tronco para avaliar mais profundamente as adaptações do sistema neuromuscular em função da instalação da fadiga. Os resultados indicaram que, para ambos os grupos GYN e CTRL, a fadiga muscular causou aumento das oscilações posturais, enquanto o toque causou diminuição das mesmas. No entanto, para o grupo CTRL (mas não para o grupo GYN) o efeito da fadiga parece ser dependente da condição de toque, visto que quando informações táteis adicionais estiveram presentes, o efeito da fadiga sobre as oscilações posturais foi atenuado. Apesar das oscilações posturais terem sido semelhantes entre os grupos GYN e CTRL, a análise dos sinais de EMG indicou que o grupo GYN utilizou menores níveis de ativação do músculo tibial anterior (ou ativações menos frequentes), assim como diferentes distribuições espectrais dos sinais de EMG provenientes do gastrocnêmio medial, bíceps femoral e do reto abdominal durante a tarefa de equilíbrio unipodal, independentemente da condição de fadiga ou de toque / Although Acrobatic Gymnastics practice has been considered effective in generating neuromuscular adaptations associated with postural control improvements, to date no study has investigated the behavior of postural sway of gymnasts of Acrobatics Gymnastics in response to the manipulation of sensory information such as the addition of tactile sensory cues. Moreover, a large number of studies have shown increased postural oscillations in response to muscle fatigue. However, no investigation has addressed the effects of muscle fatigue on the postural control of gymnasts of Acrobatics Gymnastics. As postural control is improved by different types of physical training, particularly those requiring skilled and fast actions, the hypothesis saised in this study was that gymnasts of Acrobatics Gymnastics would be less prone to fatigue-induced postural instabilities, thereby showing a smaller effect of muscle fatigue on postural sway. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of plantar flexor muscle fatigue on the control of single leg stance between gymnasts of Acrobatics Gymnastics (GYN group) and non-gymnasts (CTRL group), during postural tasks performed with and without additional tactile information due to contact of the index finger with an external surface. Additionally, surface EMG of the lower limb and trunk muscles was used to further evaluate the fatigue-induced adaptations on the neuromuscular system. The results indicated that, for both GYN and CTRL groups, muscle fatigue caused an increase in postural sway, while the touching an external surface decreased it. However, for the CTRL group (but not for the GYN group) the effect of fatigue seems to be dependent on the touch condition, as the effect of fatigue on postural sway was attenuated in the presence of additional tactile information. Although postural sway parameters were similar between the GYN and CTRL groups, analysis of the EMG signals indicated that the GYN group used lower levels of tibialis anterior muscle activation (or less frequent activations), as well as different spectral distributions of the EMG signals from gastocnemius medialis, biceps femoris and rectus abdominis during the unipodal postural task, regardless of the fatigue or touch condition

Embora a analise no domínio da freqüência do sinal Eletromiográfico (EMG) seja empregada na caracterização do processo de fadiga muscular localizada sua aplicação, especificamente a da Freqüência Mediana (Fmed), é pouco explorada para a determinação do Limiar de Fadiga Eletromiográfico (LFE). Neste estudo foram realizadas análises baseadas em procedimentos experimentais executados em três diferentes modalidades de exercício: i) isométrico; ii) isotônico com peso fixo; iii) isotônico no cicloergômetro; onde foi monitorado o comportamento da Fmed do sinal EMG em três porções do músculo quadríceps femoral: vasto lateral, vasto medial e reto femoral. Os resultados demonstraram ser possível determinar o LFE através da monitoração da Fmed, em qualquer modalidade de exercício para todas as três porções musculares avaliadas. Entretanto, para o exercício isométrico e isotônico com peso fixo a qualidade dos ajustes, utilizados para o calculo do LFE, apresentou melhores índices estatísticos em comparação com os resultados obtidos no cicloergômetro. Pode ser considerado um reflexo deste comportamento a menor variação nos valores do LFE observada nas duas primeiras modalidades de exercício. Por conseqüência, nestas modalidades, uma melhor caracterização do LFE, relacionada sua definição teórica, foi observada. A análise complementar das bandas de freqüência isoladas demonstrou a possibilidade de melhoramentos relacionados ao processo metodológico de tratamento do sinal EMG para determinação do LFE. Entende-se que a determinação do LFE é uma temática controversa, porém ao mesmo tempo apresenta um grande potencial de exploração científica caracterizando, neste contexto, a contribuição deste estudo para a área / Tthough the analysis in the frequency domain of the Electromyographic Signal (EMG) was used in the characterization of the localized muscular fatigue process their application, specifically the Median Frequency (MF), is rarely explored for the determination of Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold (EMGFT). In this study analysis based in experimental procedures were executed in three different modalities of exercise: i) isometric; ii) dynamic with fixed load; iii) dynamic in the cycle ergometer; where was monitored the behavior of the EMG signal through the MF in three portions of the quadriceps muscle: vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and rectus femoris. The results demonstrated that the determination of EMGFT through the monitorization of MF was possible, in any modality of exercises for all the three muscular portions evaluated. However for the isometric and dynamic exercise with fixed load the quality of the adjustments, used for estimate the EMGFT, presented better statistical index in comparison with the results obtained in the cycle ergometer. May be considered a reflex of this behavior the smallest variation in the values of EMGFT observed in the first two modalities of exercise. For consequence, in these modalities, a better characterization of EMGFT was observed when related with your theoretical definition. The complemental analysis of the isolated bands of frequency demonstrated the possibility of improvement related in the methodological process of EMG signal processing for determination of EMGFT. The understanding around the determination of EMGFT demonstrated a controversial theme, however at the same time it presents a great potential of scientific exploration characterizing, in this context, the contribution of present study for this area

No description available.

Localized muscle fatigue (LMF) has been proposed as a surrogate measure to injury, since the onset of fatigue is rapid rather than months or years required to the onset of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The objectives of this study were to estimate LMF and quantify muscle activity of select forearm muscles during simulations of high pressure cleaning lance tasks common in the chemical production industry. Twenty participants, twelve males and eight females, with no musculoskeletal injuries and meeting criteria for upper extremity fitness, performed the simulated task. Independent variables studied include work height (shoulder, waist, and knuckle), lance orientation (parallel to the operator and parallel to the ground), and duty cycle (33, 50, and 67%) based on task analyses of actual work tasks. Dependent variables included mean RMS and rates of change in mean RMS, mean and median power frequency, MVE, and subjective ratings of fatigue. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the main effects of the independent variables and appropriate interactions. In general it was found that working at waist height, at higher duty cycles, and with the lance oriented parallel to the operator resulted in higher fatigue measures. Subjective ratings of fatigue were not well correlated with objective measures, similar to findings in previous studies. The simulated task was found to be extremely fatiguing and modifications to task design or job rotation schedules are required to reduce risk associated with injury development. / Master of Science

Title: Electromyographic Analysis of the Different Handlebars Grips Effect on the Shoulder Blade Fixators Aims: The main objective of this thesis is to carry out a methodological study on the impact of different handlebars grips on the shoulder blades fixators. Result of the grip change is not only reduction of the upper fixators activity and the increase in the lower fixators activity but also co-contraction index increase and muscle fatigue reduction. Based on the hypothesis we assumed that the highest activity rate of the lower blades fixators and the lowest activity rate of the upper blades fixators will be during the handlebars brakes grip. The highest co- contraction index will occur during the handlebar brakes grip and the maximum muscular fatigue will occur during the grip at the top of the handlebars. The first part of the thesis is focused on the literature search and facts retrieval pertaining to the studied issue. In the second special part of the thesis we conducted a research during which the muscle activity of the upper and lower blade fixators was recorded. Three different handlebars grips were considered during the measurement using the cycle ergometer. Methods: Muscle activity was scanned and recorded using surface EMG. Maximal voluntary contraction of selected muscles based on...

Master of Science / Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering / Steve Warren / Handgrip contractions are a standard exercise modality to evaluate muscular system performance. Most conventional ergometer systems that collect handgrip contraction data are manually controlled, placing a burden on the researcher to guide subject activity while recording the resultant data. Further, post-processing tools for this type of experiment are not standardized within the domain, which requires investigators to process their data with multiple tool sets and often create custom tool sets for that purpose. This can make experimental data difficult to compare and correlate, even within the same research group. This thesis presents updates to a hand-forearm ergometer system that automate the control and data-acquisition processes as well as provide a tool set to post process hand contraction data. The automated system utilizes a LabVIEW virtual instrument as the system centerpiece; it provides the subject/researcher interfaces and coordinates data acquisition from both traditional and new sensors. The tool set also incorporates a collection of MATLAB scripts that allow the investigator to post process these data in a standard way, such as automating the processes of noise floor removal, burst start/stop time identification, and mean/median frequency calculation in electromyograms (EMGs). The tool set has proven to be a viable support resource for experimental studies performed by the Kansas State University Human Exercise Physiology lab that target muscle fatigue in human forearms. Initial data acquired during these tests indicate the viability of the system to acquire consistent and physiologically meaningful data while providing a usable tool set for follow-on data analyses.

A instabilidade articular é responsável pelo desenvolvimento de lesões degenerativas incapacitantes que comprometem o desempenho funcional. Compreender os processos desenvolvidos para estabilização dinâmica articular é um desafio para pesquisadores das mais diversas áreas. O presente estudo propõe o uso da abordagem Biomecânica para reconhecer os mecanismos relacionadas ao processo de estabilização dinâmica articular, por meio de três diferentes condições experimentais. No experimento 1 foi analisada a Força de Reação do Solo (FRS) e a cinemática 3-D no andar, correr e saltar de portadores (n=10) e não portadores de instabilidade crônica (n=10) do tornozelo. No experimento 2 foi analisada a Eletromiografia dos músculos tibial anterior, fibular longo, fibular curto e gastrocnêmio lateral de portadores (n=14) e não portadores de instabilidade crônica (n=14) do tornozelo antes e após um protocolo de indução à fadiga muscular. No experimento 3 (n=20) foi analisado o efeito do exercício de alongamento muscular estático passivo dos músculos fibular longo e fibular curto na simulação da entorse do tornozelo. Nos protocolos de locomoção foram encontrados no lado acometido picos tardios e aumento dos Impulsos da FRS. No início da fase de apoio o tornozelo instável no andar aumentou a dorsiflexão, no correr aumentou a eversão e no saltar diminuiu a inversão e aumentou a dorsiflexão. Tais estratégias representam a tentativa de melhorar a estabilidade dinâmica articular. No entanto, a variação angular da articulação no plano sagital e frontal aumentaram, sugerindo que há mais amplitude de movimento no tornozelo acometido e maior estresse sobre os estabilizadores passivos locais. Em condições de fadiga muscular, após simulação da entorse, indivíduos com articulações saudáveis aumentam a rigidez articular e a intensidade de contração dos eversores do tornozelo, antecipadamente a perturbação, diferente de portadores de instabilidade crônica. A execução do exercício de alongamento dos músculos fibulares longo e curto, seguido da simulação da entorse, gerou o retardo da resposta motora e diminuição da intensidade de ativação. Desta forma, as estratégias desenvolvidas por portadores de instabilidade crônica podem ser relacionadas à causa e/ou consequência do quadro, a fadiga muscular altera o desenvolvimento de estratégias de proteção e o exercício de alongamento pode prejudicar a estabilização dinâmica articular / Joint instability is associated with degenerating injuries that lead to functional incapacitation. Knowing the process involved in joint dynamic stabilization is a challenge to researchers in many fields. This study proposes the use of a biomechanical approach to recognize the mechanisms involved in joint stabilization through three different experimental conditions. The first experiment analyzed the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) and the 3D kinematics in participants with (n=10) and without (n=10) chronic ankle instability during walking, running and jumping. The second experiment analyzed the Electromyography signal of tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis e gastrocnemius lateralis in participants with (n=14) and without (n=14) chronic ankle instability before and after a muscle fatigue protocol. The third experiment (n=20) analyzed the effect of static passive stretching of peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles on the ankle sprain simulation. During the locomotion protocols the injured side showed late peaks and an increase of the GRF impulses. The instable ankle showed an increase of dorsiflexion during the initial phase of gait and an increase of eversion during running. The instable ankle also showed a decrease of inversion and an increase of dorsiflexion during jumping. These strategies represent an attempt to improve the joint dynamic stability. There was an increase in sagittal and frontal angular displacement, suggesting more range of motion as well as more stress in the passive structures that are responsible for stabilization in the injured ankle. During muscular fatigue, after an ankle sprain simulation, subjects with healthy joints increase the joint stiffness and the intensity of the ankle eversion muscles activation, before the intervention, differently from subjects with chronic instability. The peroneus longus and brevis stretching exercise followed by the ankle sprain simulation caused a delay on the motor response and a decrease in the activation intensity. The strategies developed by the subjects with chronic instability can be related to the cause and/or the consequence of the dysfunction. The muscular fatigue changes the development of strategies of protection and the stretching exercise can weaken the dynamic stability of the joint

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht mit elektromyographischen und biomechanischen Methoden lokale muskuläre Ermüdung und die damit verbundenen Veränderungen in der Kinematik und Kinetik eines ausbelastenden Hebetests. Hierzu wurde der PILE-Test (Mayer et al., 1988) verwendet, der als Diagnostikverfahren in der Rehabilitation von Personen mit Rückenbeschwerden eingesetzt wird. In den letzten Jahren sind mathematische Verfahren entwickelt worden, um spektralanalytische Untersuchungen dynamischer Muskelkontraktionen durchführen zu können. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde einer dieser Ansätze im Rahmen eines Softwarepakets umgesetzt. Er beruht auf der Verwendung der ''Smooth-Pseudo-Wigner-Ville-Verteilung'', einer biquadratischen Transformation der Cohen-Klasse. Das Verfahren zeichnet sich durch eine hohe Zeit- und Frequenzauflösung aus. Die spektralanalytische Untersuchung von sechs bewegungsrelevanten Muskeln während des Hebetests zeigte für die 22 männlichen Sportstudierenden signifikante Verringerungen der Medianfrequenz lediglich für die Signale der Rumpfstrecker (M. erector spinae, M. gluteus maximus). Dies konnte für die Signale des Kniestreckers (M. vastus lateralis) nicht beobachtet werden. Diese Ergebnisse korrespondieren mit den kinematischen Änderungen im Verlauf der Testdurchführung. Zwischen der Frequenzänderung des M. erector spinae vom Startintervall (geringe Last) zum Schlussintervall (hohe Last) und der Verringerung der Bewegungsamplitude der Rumpfextension wurde eine signifikante Korrelation festgestellt. Aufgrund der daraus ableitbaren Insuffizienz des M. erector spinae kommt es in der Initialphase der Hebung, in der die maximalen Bodenreaktionskräfte auftreten, für nahezu die Hälfte der Probanden zu einem Absenken des Rumpfes. Da dieses Verhalten mit einer erhöhten Belastung im Bereich der lumbalen Wirbelsäule assoziiert wird, sollte die Bewegungsausführung während des PILE-Tests kontrolliert werden, um Gesundheitsrisiken zu vermeiden. / Electromyographic and biomechanical methods were used to investigate localized muscle fatigue and changes in the kinematics during an exhausting lifting test. For this purpose the ''Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation'' (PILE) was utilized, which was published by Mayer (1988) as a method to quantify the lifting capacity of people with spinal disorders. Fatigue-related changes in the electromyographic signals of trunk and limb muscles were evaluated and compared to kinematic measures in order to determine whether fatigue influences motor behavior during the lifting test. Recent advances in the methodology of time-frequency analysis for electro- myographic signal processing provide a new way of studying localized muscle fatigue during dynamic contractions. One of these approaches was used to develop an algorithm for the analysis of highly dynamic muscle contractions. It is based on the ''smooth-pseudo-Wigner-Ville-distribution'', a biquadratic transformation of the Cohen class. The method is characterized by a high time and frequency resolution. Twenty-two male physical education students performed the lumbar PILE-test. During the lifting task, the median frequency significantly decreased over time in the trunk extensor muscles (erector spinae, gluteus maximus) but not in the limb muscles (vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius). This corresponds to changes in the kinematic. In the initial lifting phase, the range of motion of the knee joint increased from low to high loads, while the range of motion of the trunk decreased. Half of the subjects reached almost complete knee extension while the trunk was still in maximum flexion when lifting heavy loads. The change of median frequency of the erector spinae is significantly correlated with the reduction of trunk extension. These biomechanical changes are associated with increased peak torque at the lumbar spine. Therefore it is recommended to monitor the lifting technique during the PILE-Test to avoid health risks.

Esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA) é uma doença neurológica progressiva e fatal, caracterizada por perda dos neurônios motores, levando à fraqueza muscular global. As funções sensitivas e mentais são preservadas durante todo o curso da doença. A esclerose lateral amiotrófica tem uma prevalência de 6 por 100.000 pessoas e o início da doença é geralmente entre os 40 a 60 anos de idade. O prognóstico é reservado e em média os pacientes vivem de 3 a 5 anos após o diagnóstico médico. Com a progressão da doença outros sintomas surgem como fraqueza dos membros, comprometimento da fala, aumento da salivação, dificuldades de deglutição, dificuldades para deambular e fadiga muscular. As alterações dos músculos respiratórios levam à falência respiratória, que é a maior causa de óbito nos pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica. Fadiga é definida como a queda da máxima contração isométrica voluntária e falta de tolerância do músculo sob esforço. A máxima contração isométrica voluntária depende de uma cadeia de eventos que se inicia no córtex motor - condutor excitatório dos neurônios motores superior e inferior, e se continua na transmissão pela junção neuromuscular, no acoplamento excitação-contração e na contração da fibra muscular que depende de um suprimento energético metabólico. A fadiga muscular ocorre em pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica prejudicando a função e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi: 1) Quantificar a freqüência da fadiga na esclerose lateral amiotrófica; 2) Analisar a evolução da fadiga nos pacientes; 3) Correlacionar a presença da fadiga com fatores como a funcionalidade, a qualidade de vida, a depressão, a dispnéia, e a sonolência, idade e duração da doença em meses. O grupo controle compôs-se de 60 indivíduos (familiares de funcionários do hospital e da equipe multidisciplinar) que não apresentavam história de doenças pregressas. O grupo teste constitui-se de 60 pacientes com diagnóstico de esclerose lateral amiotrófica. O diagnóstico foi realizado por dois neurologistas independentes e baseou-se na presença de história clínica, exame neurológico e estudos neurofisiológicos compatíveis com esclerose lateral amiotrófica, segundo os critérios de El Escorial da Federação Mundial de Neurologia; além disso, houve a investigação complementar por meio de testes hematológicos, bioquímicos, sorológicos, genéticos e radiológicos para excluir outras patologias. Os pacientes dos grupos controle e teste foram entrevistados pela pesquisadora para aplicação de questionários com escalas para verificação da presença de funcionalidade, de qualidade de vida, de depressão, de dispnéia, de sonolência e de fadiga; e os pacientes do grupo teste foram submetidos à avaliação fisioterapêutica no início do estudo e a cada 3 meses, totalizando 12 meses de coletas. O grupo teste apresentou fadiga significantemente maior em relação ao grupo controle, bem como alterações nos questionários de funcionalidade, de qualidade de vida, de depressão, de dispnéia e de sonolência. Percebeu-se que a fadiga foi evolutiva durante os meses de acompanhamento da pesquisa. A fadiga correlacionou-se com a idade, mostrando que os pacientes mais jovens apresentaram maior grau de fadiga que os pacientes mais idosos. Os resultados desta pesquisa sugerem que a fadiga é um dos problemas que afetam os pacientes com ELA; o fato de não ter correlação com outros problemas estudados sugere que a fadiga deve merecer pesquisa e tratamento individualizados no paciente com ELA, principalmente pelo fato de que os resultados sugeriram piora da fadiga no decorrer da evolução da ELA / Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurological disease, characterized by loss of the motor neurons, taking to the global muscular weakness. The sensitive and mental functions are preserved during whole the course of the disease. The ALS has a prevalence of 6 for 100.000 people and the beginning of the disease is usually among the 40 to 60 years of age. The prognostic is reserved and on average the patients live from 3 to 5 years after the medical diagnosis. With the progression of the disease other symptoms they appear as weakness of the members, compromising of the speech, increase of the salivation, deglutition difficulties, difficulties to stroll and it fatigues muscular. The alterations of the breathing muscles take to the breathing bankruptcy, that is the largest death cause in the patients with ALS. Fatigue is defined as the fall of the maxim voluntary isometric contraction and lack of tolerance of the muscle under effort. The maxim voluntary isometric contraction depends on a chain of events that begins in the motor cortex - driver excitatory of the neurons motor superior and inferior, and it is continued in the transmission by the junction neuromuscular, in the joining excitement-contraction and in the contraction of the muscular fiber that depends on a metabolic energy supply. The muscular fatigue happens in patients with ALS harming the function and the quality of the patients\' life. The objective of this work was: 1) to quantify the frequency of the fatigue in the ALS; 2) to analyze the evolution of the fatigue in the patients; 3) to correlate the presence of the fatigue with factors as the functionality, the life quality, the depression, the dispnéa, and the sleepiness, age and duration of the disease in months. The group control was composed of 60 individuals (family of employees of the hospital and of the team multidisciplinar) that didn\'t present history of past diseases. The group test is constituted of 60 patients with diagnosis of ALS. The diagnosis was accomplished by two independent neurologists and he/she based on the presence of clinical history, neurological exam and studies compatible neurophisiologycs with ALS, according to the criteria of El Escorial of the World Federation of Neurology; besides, there was the complement investigation through tests and exams to exclude other pathologies. The patients of the groups control and test were interviewed by the researcher for application of questionnaires with scales for verification of the functionality presence, of life quality, of depression, of dispnéa, of sleepiness and of fatigue; and the patients of the group test they were submitted to the evaluation physiotherapy in the beginning of the study and every 3 months, totaling 12 months of collections. The group test presented fatigue larger significantly in relation to the group it controls, as well as alterations in the functionality questionnaires, of life quality, of depression, of dispnéa and of sleepiness. It was noticed that the fatigue was evolutionary during the months of accompaniment of the research. The fatigue was correlated with the age, showing that the youngest patients presented larger degree of fatigue than the most senior patients. The results of this research suggest that the fatigue is one of the problems that affect the patients with ALS; the fact of not having correlation with other studied problems suggests that the fatigue should deserve research and treatment individualized in the patient with ALS, mainly for the fact that the results suggested worsening of the fatigue in elapsing of the evolution of the ALS