Fatigue is a multifactorial phenomenon including both cognitive and physical components. While age-related changes in neuromuscular function due to physical fatigue are well investigated, the effects of cognitive fatigue on neuromuscular function in older adults are unclear. The purpose of this study is to describe the methodology to examine the influence of cognitive fatigue on age-related changes in neuromuscular function and associated prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. 4 younger and 1 older females underwent a 60-minute quiet session (control) and 60-minute cognitive fatigue session prior to a moderate intensity fatiguing handgrip exercise. An integrated neuroergonomic approach for collecting brain and muscle activity, cardiovascular responses and fatigue-related self-reports are described. Expected outcomes from this neuroergonomic investigation will provide the rationale for developing training and rehabilitative interventions for promoting both brain and body health to improve physical competencies in older adults.
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