title: Concurrent endurance and explosive type strength training improves neuromuscular and anaerobic characteristics in young distance runners.
abstract: To study effects of concurrent explosive strength and endurance training on aerobic and anaerobic performance and neuromuscular characteristics, 13 experimental (E) and 12 control (C) young (16 - 18 years) distance runners trained for eight weeks with the same total training volume but 19% of the endurance training in E was replaced by explosive training. Maximal speed of maximal anaerobic running test and 30-m speed improved in E by 3.0 +/- 2.0% (p < 0.01) and by 1.1 +/- 1.3% (p < 0.05), respectively. Maximal speed of aerobic running test, maximal oxygen uptake and running economy remained unchanged in both groups. Concentric and isometric leg extension forces increased in E but not in C. E also improved (p < 0.05) force-time characteristics accompanied by increased (p < 0.05) rapid neural activation of the muscles. The thickness of quadriceps femoris increased in E by 3.9 +/- 4.7% (p < 0.01) and in C by 1.9 +/- 2.0% (p < 0.05). The concurrent explosive strength and endurance training improved anaerobic and selective neuromuscular performance characteristics in young distance runners without decreases in aerobic capacity, although almost 20% of the total training volume was replaced by explosive strength training for eight weeks. The neuromuscular improvements could be explained primarily by neural adaptations.
authors: Department of Physiology, Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland. jussi.mikkola@kihu.fi
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Mikkola
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Rusko
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nummela
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Pollari
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Häkkinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis