Prior band-resisted squat jumps improved running time, rating of perceived exertion, and neuromuscular performance in middle-distance runners

Low, Jonathan LeRon (2018) Prior band-resisted squat jumps improved running time, rating of perceived exertion, and neuromuscular performance in middle-distance runners. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (2MB)

Abstract

There is a need for more research that examines the time course of neuromuscular alterations that occur during middle-long distance running. A growing body of evidence suggests that post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a prominent neuromuscular alteration that aids in the enhancement and maintenance of force production. PAP conditioning contractions integrated into warm-up protocols have been shown to enhance subsequent performance, yet the role PAP plays in endurance performance remains under-studied. The aim of this study was to characterize the time course of the effects of a PAP conditioning stimulus (band-resisted jump squat protocol) on a subsequent 5 X 1 km running trial. This study examined neuromuscular properties (ITT, MVC, EMG, drop jump) and metabolic properties (RPE, HR). It was hypothesized that performing a 5RM band-resisted jump squat protocol as part of a standardized running-specific warm-up in a group of endurance runners would induce significant measurable PAP effects during the course of a subsequent 5 X 1 km time trial run and up to 10 minutes post-run protocol. The neuromuscular and performance changes resulted in decreased time to complete the running task (3.6%) in the intervention session, increased force generation (9.5%) throughout both trials, increased voluntary activation (10%) in the intervention session, and a lack of impaired evoked contractile properties. These results serve as evidence of measurable neuromuscular changes occurring during and after the subsequent running trial. It is plausible that the band-resisted jump squat protocol served to increase performance and physiological measures and is attributable to post-activation potentiation, heighted central-pacing strategies, and increased stretch-shortening cycle efficiency.

Actions (login required)

View Item