Neuromuscular Characteristics and Fatigue During 10 km Running (original) (raw)

Int J Sports Med 1999; 20(8): 516-521
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-8837

Physiology and Biochemistry

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

• 1 KIHU-Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland
• 2 Neuromuscular Research Center and Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

• Abstract
• Full Text
• References

This study investigated neuromuscular characteristics and fatigue during 10 km running (10 K) performance in well-trained endurance athletes with different distance running capability. Nine high (HC) and ten low (LC) caliber endurance athletes performed the 10 K on a 200 m indoor track, constant velocity lap (CVL, 4.5 m × s-1) 5 times during the course of the 10 K and maximal 20 m speed test before (20 mb) and after (20 ma) the 10 K. Running velocity (V), ground contact times (CT), ground reaction forces (F) and electromyographic activity (EMG) of the leg muscles (vastus lateralis; VL, biceps femoris; BF, gastrocnemius; GA) were measured during 20 mb, 20 ma, and CVLs. The 10 K times differed (p < 0.001) between HC and LC (36.3 ± 1.2 and 39.2 ± 2.0 min, respectively) but no differences were observed in 20 mb velocity. The 10 K led to significant (p < 0.05) decreases in V, F and integrated EMG (IEMG) and increases in CTs of 20 ma in both groups. No changes were observed in HC or LC in F and IEMG during the CVLs but HC showed shorter (p < 0.05) mean CT of CVLs than LC. A significant correlation (r = - 0.56, p < 0.05) was observed between the mean CT of CVLs and velocity of 10 K (V10K). Pre-activity of GA in relation to the IEMG of the total contact phase during the CVLs was higher (p < 0.05) in HC than LC. The relative IEMGs of VL and GA in the propulsion phase compared to the IEMG of the 20 mb were lower (p < 0.05) in HC than LC. In conclusion, marked fatigue took place in both HC and LC during the 10 K but the fatigue-induced changes in maximal 20 m run did not differentiate endurance athletes with different V10K. However, a capability to produce force rapidly throughout the 10 K accompanied with optimal preactivation and contact phase activation seem to be important for 10 km running performance in well trained endurance athletes.

Key words:

Distance running performance - neuromuscular characteristics - EMG - fatigue - ground reaction forces - contact times - endurance athletes

References

• 1 Anderson T. Biomechanics and running economy. Sports Med. 1996; 22 76-89
• 2 Asmussen E. Muscle fatigue. Med Sci Sports. 1979; 11 313-321
• 3 Bigland-Ritchie B, Jones D A, Hosking G P, Edwards R TH. Central and peripheral fatigue in sustained maximum voluntary contractions of human quadriceps muscle. Clin Sci Mol Med. 1978; 54 609-614
• 4 Bosco C, Komi P V, Ito A. Prestretch potentiation of human skeletal muscle during ballistic movement. Acta Physiol Scand. 1981; 111 135-140
• 5 Cavagna G A, Kaneko M. Mechanical work and efficiency in level walking and running. J Physiol. 1977; 268 467-481
• 6 Cavanagh P R, Lafortune M A. Ground reaction forces in distance running. J Biom. 1980; 13 397-406
• 7 Dietz V, Schmidtbleicher D, Noth J. Neural mechanisms of human locomotion. J Neurophysiol. 1979; 42 1212-1222
• 8 Elliot B, Ackland T. Biomechanical effects of fatigue on 10 000 meter running technique. Res Quart Exerc Sport. 1981; 52 160-166
• 9 Enoka R M. Muscle strength and its development. New perspectives. A review. Sports Med. 1988; 6 146-168
• 10 Enoka R M. Neuromechanical Basis of Kinesiology. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics Books 1988: 201-206
• 11 Goldspink G. Cellular and molecular aspects of adaptation in skeletal muscle. In: Komi PV (ed) Strength and Power in Sports. The Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine. Oxford; Blackwell Scientific Publications 1992: 211-229
• 12 Gollhofer A, Komi P V, Miyashita M, Aura O. Fatigue during stretch-shortening cycle exercises: changes in mechanical performance of human skeletal muscle. Int J Sports Med. 1987; 8 71-78
• 13 Gollhofer A, Komi P V, Fujitsuka N, Miyashita M. Fatigue during stretch-shortening cycle exercises. II. Changes in neuromuscular activation patterns of human skeletal muscle. Int J Sports Med. 1987; 8 38-47
• 14 Green H J. Neuromuscular aspects of fatigue. Can J Sport Sci. 1987; 12 19
• 15 Green H J, Patla A E. Maximal aerobic power: neuromuscular and metabolic considerations. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992; 24 38-46
• 16 Komi P V. Physiological and biomechanical correlates of muscle function: effects of muscle structure and stretch-shortening cycle on force and speed. In: Terjung RL (ed) Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. Lexinton; The Collamore Press 1984: 81-121
• 17 Komi P V. Stretch-Shortening cycle. In: Komi PV (ed) Strength and Power in Sport. Oxford; Blackwell Scientific Publications 1991: 169-179
• 18 Mann R, Herman J. Kinematic analysis of olympic sprint performance: men's 200 meters. Int J Sports Biomech. 1985; 1 151-162
• 19 Melvill-Jones G, Watt D GD. Observations on the control of stepping and hopping movements in man. J Physiol. 1971; 219 709-727
• 20 Mero A, Komi P V, Gregor R J. Biomechanics of sprint running. A review. Sports Med. 1992; 13 376-392
• 21 Moritani T, Oddson L, Thorstensson A. Electromyographic evidence of selective fatigue during the eccentric phase of stretch/shortening cycles in man. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990; 60 425-429
• 22 Nicol C, Komi P V, Marconnet P. Fatigue effects of marathon running on neuromuscular performance. I. Changes in muscle force and stiffness characteristics. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1991; 1 10-17
• 23 Nicol C, Komi P V, Marconnet P. Fatigue effects of marathon running on neuromuscular performance. II. Changes in force, integrated electromyographic activity and endurance capacity. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 191; 1 18-24
• 24 Noakes T D. Implications of exercise testing for prediction of athletic performance: a contemporary perspective. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988; 20 319-330
• 25 Nummela A, Rusko H, Mero A. EMG activities and ground reaction forces during fatigued and nonfatigued sprinting. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994; 26 605-609
• 26 Paavolainen L, Häkkinen K, Nummela A, Rusko H. Neuromuscular characteristics and fatigue in endurance and sprint athletes during a new anaerobic power test. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994; 69 119-126
• 27 Paavolainen L, Nummela A, Rusko H. Neuromuscular characteristics and muscle power as determinants of 5-km running performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999; 31 124-130
• 28 Paavolainen L, Häkkinen K, Nummela A, Rusko H. Treadmill and track running physiological responses as determinants of 10 km running performance. Submitted for publication
• 29 Siler W L, Martin P E. Changes in running pattern during a treadmill run to volitional exhaustion: fast versus slower runners. Int J Sport Biomech. 1991; 7 12-28
• 30 Viitasalo J T, Komi P V, Jacobs I, Karlsson J. Effects of prolonged cross-country skiing on neuromuscular performance. In: Komi PV (ed) Exercise and Sport Biology, International Series of Sport Sciences. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics Publishers 1982: 191-198
• 31 Williams K R. Biomechanics of running. In: Terjung RL (ed) Exercise and Sports Science Reviews. Lexinton; The Collamore Press 1985: 389-441
• 32 Williams K R, Cavanagh P R. Relationship between distance running mechanics, running economy, and performance. J Appl Physiol. 1987; 63 1236-1245
• 33 Williams K R, Snow R, Agruss C. Changes in distance running kinematics with fatigue. Int J Sport Biomech. 1991; 7 138-162

Leena Paavolainen

KIHU-Research Institute for Olympic Sports

Rautpohjankatu 6

SF-40700 Jyväskylä

Finland

Phone: +358 (14) 603176

Fax: +358 (14) 603171

Email: LPAAVOLA@KIHU.JYU.Fi