title: The effect of two warm-up protocols on some biomechanical parameters of the neuromuscular system of middle distance runners.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 2 different warm-up protocols on the neuromuscular system of well-trained middle distance runners. Seven runners performed 2 different warm-up protocols, one of which included slow running, stretching, and bounding and sprinting exercises, while the other consisted of slow running and stretching only. Before and after warm-up, contractile properties of the vastus lateralis and quadriceps femoris were monitored with a single twitch test, maximal torque, and the level of muscle activation during maximal voluntary extension. The 2 types of warm-up protocols showed statistically significant differences in the increase of peak knee extension torque and muscle activation level. After warm-up 1 maximal twitch torque was increased and twitch contraction time (CT) was shortened. Both maximal torque and the level of activation were increased. Parameter changes after warm-up 2 were similar to those after warm-up 1 but not statistically significant. Sprinting and bounding as part of athletes' warm-up improve muscle activation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomechanics, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia. branko.skof@sp.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skof
authors.forename: Vojko
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Strojnik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D019415:Torque
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates