Pedersen, L. D., Mohr, M., Nordsborg, N., Nielsen, J. J., & Bangsbo, J. (2001). Accumulation of potassium in muscle interstitium during exhaustive exercise in humans. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1484.

It was shown that interstitial potassium during short-term intense exhaustive exercise increased to levels that in vitro have been shown to reduce muscle force and strongly suggest that potassium may cause muscular fatigue during intense exercise.

Implication. Interstitial potassium is a cause of fatigue in intense exercise.

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