Localized muscle fatigue (LMF) has received a growing interest. Local fatigue is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury. A number of studies have been conducted in this area to investigate the following issues. How can fatigue lead to musculoskeletal disorders? What are the fatigue internal precipitating mechanisms? What factors affect fatigue (individual factors as well as task factors)? How to assess the development of LMF while performing a task? How LMF can be used for industrial task evaluations? From industrial relevance point of view, the last question appears to be interesting. It is true since reports have documented a number of interventions as a result of LMF studies including evaluations of task procedure, working tool, work-rest schedule, working shift, and etc.  However, there are some challenges for further interventions pertaining to limitations of current LMF assessment methods. The present paper elaborates several fatigue measures for monitoring development of LMF, and their current limitations.  In conclusion, there is an ongoing need to find better fatigue measures.  More effective industrial interventions can be expected if more reliable and sensitive measures can be obtained.

Keywords: Localized muscle fatigue, Musculoskeletal disorders, Fatigue measures