The Effects of a Prolonged Running Exercise on Strength Characteristics

The aim of this study was to examine concentric, isometric, and eccentric strength reductions in the quadriceps muscle following a prolonged running exercise. Before and after a 2 h run (28.4 ± 1.4 km) peak torque (PT) of the knee extensors at angular velocities of - 120, - 90, - 60, 0, 60, 120, 180...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of sports medicine 2000-05, Vol.21 (4), p.275-280
Main Authors: Lepers, R., Pousson, M L., Maffiuletti, N. A., Martin, A., Van Hoecke, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena
Electromyography
Ergometry
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Knee - physiology
Male
Movement
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Physical Endurance - physiology
Running - physiology
Space life sciences
Striated muscle. Tendons
Torque
Training and Testing
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The aim of this study was to examine concentric, isometric, and eccentric strength reductions in the quadriceps muscle following a prolonged running exercise. Before and after a 2 h run (28.4 ± 1.4 km) peak torque (PT) of the knee extensors at angular velocities of - 120, - 90, - 60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240° · s -1 using an isokinetic dynamometer, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles and height of a counter movement jump were recorded in twelve well-trained triathletes. Counter movement jump performances decreased by 10 % and PT values were all significantly lower (p < 0.01) at each angular velocity following the run. The torque loss was significantly (p < 0.01) greater under eccentric contractions (from 18 to 21 %) than under concentric ones (from 11 to 14 %). EMG activity (RMS) was lower in both VL and VM muscles after the 2 h run but no difference existed in RMS losses between concentric and eccentric contractions. The present results demonstrate that 1) a prolonged running exercise more greatly affects eccentric force production in the quadriceps muscle, and 2) this specificity seems to be due to an impairment of the muscular contractile mechanism rather than a modification to the neural input.
ISSN:0172-4622
1439-3964
DOI:10.1055/s-2000-308