Association Of The Autonomous Nervous System And The Neuromuscular Performance In The Vertical Jump

Abstract

The interactions between neuromuscular and metabolic processes can produce muscular contraction; Thus, the sympathetic nervous system takes special relevance because of its contribution in the autonomic control, which participates in the energetic supply of the muscular fibers and in the neuromuscular performance. This performance can be evaluated by using the vertical jump test, and its relationship with autonomous regulation is determined by the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe correlations between HRV and jump performance variables in young female professional soccer players. METHODS: Thirteen professional female soccer players (Aged: 20.7 +/- 2.6 years; Weight: 60.9 +/- 4.4 Kg) were analyzed, we evaluated HRV to determine autonomic regulation, we also evaluated neuromuscular performance during countermovement (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) using tri-axial force platform. A statistical analyses was calculated to determine associations between variables of autonomic regulation and jump performance. RESULTS: Positive associations were found between CMJ contraction time and maximal heart rate (HR) during standing position (p=0.01, r2=0.4), SJ peak concentric velocity and LF/HF index in immediate postural change (P =0, 0453, r2= 0, 2739). Additionally, negative correlations were observed in CMJ concentric force and Stress Index (p=0.001, r2=0.42), sympathetic index (p=0.001, r2=0.41), average HR (P= 0.002 r2=0.58) and minimum HR in supine position (p=0.005, r2=0.52) and SJ peak concentric velocity and LF/HF index in orthostatic postural change (P =0, 0453, r2= 0, 2739). CONCLUSIONS: There is an inverse correlation between concentric contraction force and sympathetic modulation. Likewise, a positive association was found between some parameters related to neuromuscular power and variables of sympathetic activity, evidencing the existence of an influence of sympathetic system in explosive sports. According to this correlation, we suggest the use of HRV parameters that reflect sympathetic activity in the monitoring of training loads.