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Willer et al MSSE 2021 Neuromechanics of middle-distance running fatigue_A key role for the plantar flexors.pdf (880.37 kB)
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Neuromechanics of middle-distance running fatigue: a key role of the plantar flexors?

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journal contribution
posted on 2021-08-05, 14:12 authored by Jasmin Willer, Sam AllenSam Allen, Richard Burden, Jonathan FollandJonathan Folland
Identifying the neuromechanical changes during high-intensity running to fatigue may highlight the biomechanical limitations to performance and indicate mitigation/training strategies. PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in lower limb kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation during a high-intensity run to fatigue (HIRF). METHODS: 18 male and female competitive middle-distance runners performed a HIRF on an instrumented treadmill at a constant, but unsustainable middle-distance speed (~3 min) based on a preceding maximum oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) test. Three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were collected and compared between the start, 33%, 67%, and the end of the HIRF. Additionally, activation of eight lower limb muscles of each leg were measured with surface electromyography (sEMG). RESULTS: Time to exhaustion was 181 ± 42 s. By the end of the HIRF (i.e. vs the start): ground contact time increased (+4.0%); whilst flight time (-3.2%), peak vertical ground reaction force (-6.1%) and vertical impulse (-4.1%) decreased (All, P<0.05); and joint angles at initial contact became more (dorsi-)flexed (ankle +1.9°; knee +2.1°; hip +3.6°; All P<0.05). During stance, by the end of the HIRF: peak ankle plantar flexion moment decreased 0.4 N·m·kg-1 (-9.0%), whereas peak knee extension moment increased 0.24 N·m·kg-1 (+10.3%); similarly, positive ankle plantar flexion work decreased 0.19 J·kg-1 (-13.9%), whereas positive knee extension work increased 0.09 J·kg-1 (+33.3%; both P<0.05) with no change in positive hip extension work. Hip extensor sEMG amplitude increased during the late swing phase (+20.9-37.3%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Running at a constant middle-distance pace led primarily to fatigue of the plantar flexors with a compensatory increase in positive work done at the knee. Improving fatigue resistance of the plantar flexors might be beneficial for middle-distance running performance.

Funding

English Institute of Sport

History

School

  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Published in

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Volume

53

Issue

10

Pages

2119-2130

Publisher

Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Rights holder

© American College of Sports Medicine

Publisher statement

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 1, 2021 - 53(10), Pp. 2119-2130- doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002695.

Acceptance date

2021-03-29

Publication date

2021-05-01

Copyright date

2021

ISSN

0195-9131

eISSN

1530-0315

Language

  • en

Depositor

Prof Jonathan Folland. Deposit date: 30 July 2021

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