title: Neuromuscular responses to platform perturbations in power- versus endurance-trained athletes.
abstract: The purpose was to assess differences in postural response characteristics between two groups of elite athletes having power or endurance training. Participants were all men and included power- (M age = 21 yr., SD = 3, n = 12) and endurance-trained (M age = 22, SD = 3, n = 12) athletes. Muscle response characteristics and center of pressure measures were recorded during recovery from Fast (10 cm at 80 cm/sec.) and Slow (10 cm at 20 cm/sec.) horizontal platform perturbations. In response to Fast perturbations, power-trained athletes responded with significantly shorter times to stabilize the center of pressure, shorter muscle-contraction onset times, and larger muscle response amplitudes than endurance-trained athletes. This suggests power-trained athletes are more effective than endurance-trained athletes in responding to balance threats such as slips and trips in daily life and that power training should be studied to improve balance control of balance-impaired populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
authors.forename: Tammie K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Marjorie H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Woollacott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D056352:Athletes; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*