Repeated sprint ability but not neuromuscular fatigue is dependent on short versus long duration recovery time between sprints in healthy males.
OBJECTIVE
During maximal intensity leg cycling sprints, previous research has shown that central and peripheral fatigue development occurs with various (<30s) short-duration recovery periods between sprints. The aim of the current study was to compare the development of neuromuscular fatigue during maximal intensity lower-body sprints interspersed with short and longer duration recovery periods.


METHODS
Crossover study.


METHODS
Ten participants completed 10, 10s sprints interspersed with either 30 or 180s of recovery. Peak power outputs were measured for each sprint. Maximal force, voluntary activation (VA) and evoked contractile properties of the knee extensors were measured at pre-sprint 1, post-sprint 5 and post-sprint 10. Perceived pain was also measured immediately following each sprint.


RESULTS
Peak power output was significantly lower by 16.1±4.2% (p<0.001) during sprint 10 with 30 compared to 180s of recovery. Irrespective of recovery time, maximal force, VA and potentiated twitch force decreased by 26.7±7.2% (p<0.005), 5.8±1.2% (p=0.025), 38.7±6.1% (p=0.003) respectively, from pre-sprint 1 to post-sprint 10. MVC and PT decreased by 17±4% (p<0.003) and 23±9% (p<0.002) respectively, from pre-sprint 1 to post-sprint 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Although decreases in peak power and increases in perceived pain were greater when sprints were interspersed with 30 compared to 180s of recovery, the development of neuromuscular fatigue of the knee extensors was similar. The results illustrate that peripheral fatigue developed early whereas central fatigue developed later in the sprint protocol, however the effect of recovery time on neuromuscular fatigue could be task specific.
School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University, Canada.
Michael R
MR
Monks
School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University, Canada.
Chris T
CT
Compton
School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University, Canada.
Joseph D
JD
Yetman
School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University, Canada; BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, Canada.
Kevin E
KE
Power
School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University, Canada; BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, Canada. Electronic address: dbutton@mun.ca.
Duane C
DC
Button
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
Force; Pain; Power; Task-specific fatigue; Voluntary activation