Number of Directional Changes Alters the Physiological, Perceptual, and Neuromuscular Responses of Netball Players During Intermittent Shuttle Running

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2015-10, Vol.29 (10), p.2731-2737
• Main Authors: Ashton, Ruth E M, Twist, Craig
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Athletes; Athletic Performance - physiology; Cross-Over Studies; Female; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Knee Joint - physiology; Lactic Acid - blood; Muscular system; Physical Exertion - physiology; Physiology; Random Allocation; Running; Running - physiology; Torque; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000933

ABSTRACTAshton, REM and Twist, C. Number of directional changes alters the physiological, perceptual, and neuromuscular responses of netball players during intermittent shuttle running. J Strength Cond Res 29(10)2731–2737, 2015—This study investigated whether an increased number of changes in direction altered the metabolic, cardiovascular, perceptual, and neuromuscular responses to intermittent shuttle running (ISR). Using a randomized crossover design, 10 female netball players completed 30 minutes of ISR over a 10-m (ISR10) and 20-m (ISR20) linear course. Measures of expired air, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration ([BLa]), and peak torque of knee extensors and flexors were measured. Differences (%change ± 90% CL) in V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (1.5 ± 5.6%) was unclear between conditions, whereas HR was possibly higher (1.5 ± 2.5%) and [BLa] very likely lower in ISR20 compared with ISR10 (−32.7 ± 9.9%). Rating of perceived exertion was likely lower in the ISR20 compared with the ISR10 condition at 15 (−5.0 ± 5.0%) and most likely lower at 30 minutes (−9.4 ± 2.0%). Sprint times over 20 m were likely slower during ISR20 at mid (3.9 ± 3.2%) but unclear after (2.1 ± 5.4%). Changes in muscle function were not different between ISR10 and ISR20 conditions for knee extension (−0.2 ± 0.9%) but were likely different for knee flexion (−5.7 ± 4.9%). More directional changes during shuttle running increase the physiological and perceptual load on female athletes, which also cause a greater reduction in knee extensor torque. These findings have implications for the effective conditioning and injury prevention of female team sport athletes.