An athlete experiences localized muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise; what distinguishes this fatigue from central fatigue affecting the entire body?

💡 Explanation

Localized muscle fatigue is characterized by metabolic accumulation, because ATP hydrolysis and anaerobic glycolysis elevate intramuscular lactate, H+, and inorganic phosphate that impair cross-bridge cycling, reducing force output. Therefore, the answer is metabolite accumulation, rather than systemic neurotransmitter effects seen in central fatigue.

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