Changes in power assessed by the Wingate Anaerobic Test following downhill running.
Few studies have examined the effects of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage on power despite power being a key performance variable in a number of sporting events. The aim of this study was to examine changes in anaerobic power (30-second Wingate Test), isometric strength of the knee extensors and flexors, muscle soreness, and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity following downhill running. Eight men performed a 40-minute downhill (-7%) run on a treadmill, and measurements were taken on 6 occasions (2 baseline and 0.5, 24, 72, and 120 hours postrun). A second group of men (n = 5) had the measurements taken on 6 occasions without downhill running and served as a control group. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant changes in any measures across time for the control group. Following downhill running, significant (p < 0.05) decreases in strength (0.5-24 hours), and significant increases in muscle soreness (0.5-72 hours) and plasma CK activity (0.5-120 hours) were observed. A significant decrease in peak and average power (approximately 5%) was evident only 0.5 hours postrun, and the decrease was smaller in magnitude than that of strength (approximately 15%). These results suggest that power is less affected than strength after eccentric exercise, and the effect of reduced power on sport performance seems negligible.
Nottle
Carmel
C
School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. c.nottle@ecu.edu.au
Nosaka
Kazunori
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
D003402:Creatine Kinase