Abstract
Little is known about the changes in neuromuscular function of power-trained or sprint athletes. During the course of a competitive season, training volume typically changes which may alter neuromuscular function. PURPOSE To determine the changes in neuromuscular function as assessed by the Hoffmann Reflex (H-reflex) in male Division I collegiate sprinters during an indoor competitive season. METHODS Ten male collegiate sprinters (SPRINT, age: 19.6 ± 0.6 yrs; mass: 77.19 ± 1.32 kg; height 180.7 ± 0.9 cm) and a control group of eleven males (CONTROL, age: 20.6 ± 0.6 yrs; mass: 75.99 ± 2.75 kg; height 177.5 ± 2.3 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Soleus H-reflex (Hmax/Mmax ratio), anaerobic power (Wingate Anaerobic Test) and body composition (hydrostatic weighing) were measured at four times during the season (BASE, PRE, MID, and END) on SPRINT. For CONTROL, H-reflex was also measured at the four measurement times while anaerobic power and body composition were measured at BASE and END. A 2 X 4 (group by time) mixed design was used to detect differences. Group (Sprint vs. Control) was a between-subject variable and time was a within- subject variable representing the four different measurement periods. Measurement time reflected changes in training volume with MID being the highest volume of training and END reflecting a decrease in training volume. Dependent variables were soleus Hmax/Mmax ratio, anaerobic power, and body composition. RESULTS Soleus H-reflex differed (P < 0.05) in Sprint from MID to the END measurement periods (0.55 ± 0.08 vs. 0.60 ± 0.07, respectively,). Mean anaerobic power differed (P < 0.05) in the sprinters from BASE to END (591.9 ± 25.9 vs. 637.8 ± 25.0) and MID to END (594.9 ± 34.0 vs. 637.8 ± 25.0), while body composition changed during the season. Controls did not change over the four measurement times in any of the dependent variables. CONCLUSION Over the course of a Division I indoor track season, changes in training volume appear to influence neuromuscular function as measured by the H- reflex.
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