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Neuromuscular performance of explosive power athletes versus untrained individuals
journal contribution
posted on 2011-03-15, 17:21 authored by Neale A. Tillin, Pedro Jimenez-Reyes, Matthew PainMatthew Pain, Jonathan FollandJonathan FollandElectromechanical delay (EMD) and rate of force development (RFD) are determinants
of explosive neuromuscular performance. We may expect a contrast in EMD and RFD between
explosive power athletes, who have a demonstrable ability for explosive contractions, and
untrained individuals. However, this comparison, and the neuromuscular mechanisms for any
differences, has not been studied. The neuromuscular performance of explosive power
athletes (n = 9) and untrained controls (n = 10) was assessed during a series of twitch, tetanic,
explosive and maximum voluntary, isometric knee extensions. Knee extension force and EMG of
the superficial quadriceps was measured in three 50 ms time windows from their onset, and
normalised to strength and maximal M-wave (Mmax), respectively. Involuntary and voluntary EMD
were determined from twitch and explosive voluntary contractions, respectively, and were similar
for both groups. The athletes were 28% stronger and their absolute RFD in the first 50 ms
was 2-fold that of controls. Athletes had greater normalised RFD (4.86 ± 1.46 vs. 2.81 ± 1.20
MVC.s-1) and neural activation (mean quadriceps, 0.26 ± 0.07 vs. 0.15 ± 0.06 Mmax) during the
first 50 ms of explosive voluntary contractions. Surprisingly the controls had a greater normalised
RFD in the second 50 ms (6.68 ± 0.92 vs. 7.93 ± 1.11 MVC.s-1) and a greater change in EMG
preceding this period. However, there were no differences in the twitch response or normalised
tetanic RFD between groups. The differences in voluntary normalised RFD between
athletes and controls were explained by agonist muscle neural activation, and not the similar
intrinsic contractile properties of the groups.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Citation
TILLIN. N.A., 2010. Neuromuscular performance of explosive power athletes versus untrained individuals. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42 (4), pp. 781-790.Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Inc. (© American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM))Version
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publication date
2010Notes
This article is a non-final version of an article published in final form in the journal, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise [© American College of Sports Medicine].ISSN
0195-9131;1530-0315Publisher version
Language
- en