Human torque velocity adaptations to sprint, endurance, or combined modes of training

• Published in: The American journal of sports medicine 1992-09, Vol.20 (5), p.581-586
• Main Authors: Shealy, M. J., Callister, R., Dudley, G. A., Fleck, S. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cross training (Sports); Cross-training (Athletics); Endurance sports; Female; General aspects; Humans; Knee Joint - physiology; Life Sciences (General); Male; Medical sciences; Muscles - physiology; Physical Education and Training; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physiological aspects; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Running - physiology; Space life sciences; Sprinting; Torque
• ISSN: 0363-5465; 1552-3365
• DOI: 10.1177/036354659202000516

We had groups of athletes perform sprint and endur ance run training independently or concurrently for 8 weeks to examine the voluntary in vivo mechanical responses to each type of training. Pre- and posttrain ing angle-specific peak torque during knee extension and flexion were determined at 0, 0.84, 1.65, 2.51, 3.35, 4.19, and 5.03 radian·sec -1 and normalized for lean body mass. Knee extension torque in the sprint- trained group increased across all test velocities, the endurance-trained group increased at 2.51, 3.34, 4.19, and 5.03 radian·sec, -1 and the group performing the combined training showed no change at any velocity. Knee flexion torque of the sprint and combined groups decreased at 0.84, 1.65, and 2.51 radian·sec. -1 Knee flexion torque in the sprint-trained group also decreased at 0 radian·sec -1 and in the combined group at 3.34 radian·sec. -1 Knee flexion torque in the endurance- trained group showed no change at any velocity of contraction. Mean knee flexion:extension ratios across the test velocities significantly decreased in the sprint- trained group. Knee extension endurance during 30 seconds of maximal contractions significantly increased in all groups. Only the sprint-trained group showed a significant increase in endurance of the knee flexors. These data suggest that changes in the voluntary in vivo mechanical characteristics of knee extensor and flexor skeletal muscles are specific to the type of run training performed.