EFFECTS OF EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING AND DETRAINING ON NEUROMUSCULAR PERFORMANCE IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Abstract

1385 To investigate the effects of simultaneous strength and endurance training on neuromuscular characteristics, 7 experimental (E) and 7 control (C) endurance athletes trained for 9 wk. The total training volume was kept the same in both groups but E used 34% and C 2% explosive strength training. In a subsequent 3-wk detraining period strength training was terminated but E and C maintained endurance training. Maximal 20-m run speed (V20m), the heights of rise of the centre of gravity in counter movement jump (CMJh) and isometric leg extension force (IF) were measured. After 9-wk training V20m and CMJh increased in E (p<0.01) but decreased in C (p<0.05). The contact times (CT) of both 20-m run and CMJ decreased (p<0.05) in E but no changes occured in C. The ground reaction forces of 20-m run and CMJ or IF did not change during training but in E a significant decrease (p<0.05) took place in the time of isometric force production (IFt). During detraining V20m, CMJh and IFt decreased (p<0.05) and CTs of both 20-m run and CMJ increased (p<0.05) in E while no changes were observed in C. We concluded that in endurance athletes training-induced improvements in force production may not be fully inhibited by simultaneous explosive strength and endurance training. However, the increases obtained in force production were lost during the 3-wk detraining period.