Exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle exercise: no contralateral effects on muscle activity in maximal motor performances

Abstract

Minor cross-over effects of unilateral muscle fatigue have been reported after isometric exercises. The present study re-examined this possibility after an exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)-type exercise. Twenty-five subjects performed on a sledge apparatus a unilateral exhaustive rebound exercise involving mostly the triceps surae muscle group. Ipsilateral vs contralateral fatigue effects were compared in uni- and bilateral tests that included a maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) and a series of 10 maximal drop jumps (DJ). These tests were carried out just before and after (POST) the exhaustive SSC exercise, and were repeated 2 days later (D2), at the expected time of major inflammation and pain. The exercised (fatigued) leg analysis revealed significant declines in MVC and DJ performances at POST and D2, the latter ones being associated with significant decreases in voluntary muscle activity. In contrast, no significant change was found for the non-fatigued leg. These results do not support the existence of cross-over effects after exhaustive SSC exercise, at least when tested in maximal static and dynamic unilateral motor tasks.