Recovery of Performance, Muscle Damage and Neuromuscular Fatigue Following Muscle Power Training (PoTrRec)

Investigation on the Recovery Kinetics of Performance, Muscle Damage and Neuromuscular Fatigue Indicators, Following Different Protocols for Muscle Power Development

Muscle power is one of the most important parameters in almost every athletic action, and expresses the ability of the human muscle to produce great amounts of force with the greatest possible speed. Thus, muscle power is critical for high performance in athletic actions such as jumping, throwing, change of direction and sprinting. For enhancing their muscle power, athletes comprise several resistance training programs as part of their training. Muscle power training comprises of eccentric muscle actions, and the magnitude of these actions depend on the emphasis that is given on the concentric or eccentric action, respectively, of the muscles during the exercises. However, eccentric muscle action, especially when unaccustomed, can lead to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and deterioration of muscle performance.

Despite the fact that muscle power training comprises eccentric muscle actions, and consequently can lead to muscle injury and muscle performance reduction during the following days, the recovery kinetics after acute muscle power training have not been adequately studied. However, information regarding the recovery of the muscles after a power training protocol, is critical for the correct design of a training microcycle, and the reduction of injury risk.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the muscle injury provoked after acute muscle power training using three different power training exercise protocols. Additionally, we will examine the effect of these protocols on muscle performance and neuromuscular fatigue indices.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Power Training Exercise Protocols
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Core exercises protocol; Other: Structural exercises protocol; Other: Accentuated eccentric load exercises protocol; Other: Control condition

Detailed Description

Muscle power is one of the most important parameters in almost every athletic action, and expresses the ability of the human muscle to produce great amounts of force with the greatest possible speed. Thus, muscle power is critical for high performance in athletic actions such as jumping, throwing, change of direction and sprinting.

For enhancing their muscle power, athletes comprise several resistance training programs as part of their training. Core exercises as long as Olympic lifting has been used in muscle power training. The loads that are applied regarding the accomplishment of the most favorable power production are varying. Training load of 0% 1RM favored power production at the countermovement squat jump, while loads of 56% 1rm and 80% 1RM, favored the power production at squat and hang clean, respectively. Additionally, In the recent years, accentuated eccentric training has been proposed as a new training method for the enhancement of muscle power. This method emphasizes the eccentric component of the muscle contraction, and there is evidence supporting the greater production of muscle force after accentuated eccentric training compared with the typical resistance exercise training method.

Taking the above into consideration, muscle power training comprises of eccentric muscle actions, and the magnitude of the eccentric component depends on the emphasis that is given on the concentric or eccentric action, respectively, of the muscles during the exercises. However, eccentric muscle action, especially when unaccustomed, can lead to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Although concentric and isometric exercise may also lead to muscle injury, the amount of damage after eccentric muscle contractions is greater. EIMD, amongst others, is accompanied by increased levels of creatine kinase (CK) into the circulation, increased delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), reduction of force production, reduction of flexibility speed.

Despite the fact that muscle power training comprises eccentric muscle actions, and consequently can lead to muscle injury and muscle performance reduction during the following days, the recovery kinetics after acute muscle power training protocols have not been adequately studied. However, information regarding the recovery of the muscles after a power training protocol, is critical for the correct design of a training microcycle, and the reduction of injury risk.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the muscle injury provoked after muscle acute power training using three different power training exercise protocols. Additionally, the effect of these protocols on muscle performance and neuromuscular fatigue indices will be examined.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Greece
  • Thessaly
    • Trikala, Thessaly, Greece, 42100
      • Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry, Exercise Physiology,and Sports Nutrition, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 33 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• No recent history of musculoskeletal injury
• No use of ergogenic supplements and drugs
• No use of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements (> 6 months)
• No participation at intense eccentric exercise for at least 3 days before protocols

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent history of musculoskeletal injury
• Use of ergogenic supplements and drugs
• Use of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements (< 6 months)
• Participation at intense eccentric exercise for at least 3 days before protocols

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Core exercises protocol; Participants will perform 4 core exercises	Other: Core exercises protocol; Participants will perform: Squats, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM; Deadlifts, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM; Lunges, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM; Step ups, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM
Experimental: Structural exercises protocol; Participants will perform 4 structural (Olympic lifting) exercises	Other: Structural exercises protocol; Participants will perform: Snatch, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM; Hang clean, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM; Push jerk, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM; Split push jerk, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 60% 1RM
Experimental: Accentuated eccentric load exercises protocol; Participants will perform 4 exercises with eccentric loading	Other: Accentuated eccentric load exercises protocol; Participants will perform: Deadlifts - squat jump, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 30% body mass (BM); Step down - squat jump, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 30% BM; Step down - lunges, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 30% BM; Hip thrusts, 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 30% BM
Other: Control condition; Participants will perform all the measurements that are comprised in the experimental conditions without performing any exercise protocol	Other: Control condition; Participants will perform all the measurements that are comprised in the experimental conditions without performing any exercise protocol

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change on delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), in the knee flexors (KF) and extensors (KE) of both limbs	Participants will perform three repetitions of a full squat movement, and rate their soreness level in knee flexors and extensors on a visual analog scale from 1 to 10 (VAS, with "no pain" at one end and "extremely sore" at the other), using palpation of the belly and the distal region of relaxed knee extensors and flexors.	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on countermovement jump (CMJ) height	CMJ height will be measured in 3 maximal efforts (the best jump will be recorded) on an Ergojump contact platform	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on isometric peak torque of the knee extensors (KE)	Isometric peak torque of the KE will be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60◦/sec	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on isometric peak torque of the knee flexors (KF)	Isometric peak torque of the KF will be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60◦/sec	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on concentric isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors (KE)	Concentric peak torque of the KE will be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60◦/sec	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on concentric isokinetic peak torque of the knee flexors (KF)	Concentric peak torque of the KF will be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60◦/sec	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change one eccentric isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors (KE)	Eccentric peak torque of the KE will be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60◦/sec	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on eccentric isokinetic peak torque of the knee flexors (KF)	Eccentric peak torque of the KF will be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60◦/sec	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on the concentration of plasma CK activity	Plasma CK activity will be measured with a biochemical analyzer	Prior to, immediately after, 1, 2, 3 days after the end of the experimental protocol
Change on the concentration of blood lactate	Lactate will be measured with a portable lactate analyzer using capillary blood	Prior to, and immediately after the end of the experimental protocol

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Thessaly
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ioannis G Fatouros, PhD, University of Thessaly

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Deli CK, Fatouros IG, Paschalis V, Georgakouli K, Zalavras A, Avloniti A, Koutedakis Y, Jamurtas AZ. A Comparison of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Following Maximal Eccentric Contractions in Men and Boys. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2017 Aug;29(3):316-325. doi: 10.1123/pes.2016-0185. Epub 2017 Feb 6.
• Kyrolainen H, Avela J, McBride JM, Koskinen S, Andersen JL, Sipila S, Takala TE, Komi PV. Effects of power training on muscle structure and neuromuscular performance. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2005 Feb;15(1):58-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004.00390.x.
• Cormie P, McCaulley GO, Triplett NT, McBride JM. Optimal loading for maximal power output during lower-body resistance exercises. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Feb;39(2):340-9. doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000246993.71599.bf.
• Walker S, Blazevich AJ, Haff GG, Tufano JJ, Newton RU, Hakkinen K. Greater Strength Gains after Training with Accentuated Eccentric than Traditional Isoinertial Loads in Already Strength-Trained Men. Front Physiol. 2016 Apr 27;7:149. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00149. eCollection 2016.
• Baird MF, Graham SM, Baker JS, Bickerstaff GF. Creatine-kinase- and exercise-related muscle damage implications for muscle performance and recovery. J Nutr Metab. 2012;2012:960363. doi: 10.1155/2012/960363. Epub 2012 Jan 11.
• Jamurtas AZ, Theocharis V, Tofas T, Tsiokanos A, Yfanti C, Paschalis V, Koutedakis Y, Nosaka K. Comparison between leg and arm eccentric exercises of the same relative intensity on indices of muscle damage. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005 Oct;95(2-3):179-85. doi: 10.1007/s00421-005-1345-0. Epub 2005 Jul 9.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 6, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 16, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): June 28, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 2, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): May 3, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 5, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 30, 2020
• Last Verified: December 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Fatigue
• Other Study ID Numbers: Power Training-Recovery UTH

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No