Stretch-shortening Cycle Exercise Research Articles

The Acute Effects of Maximal Fatigue on the Subsequent Performance of Endurance Trained Athletes

Maximal stretch-shortening fatigue may have a detrimental effect on immediate performance of endurance-trained athletes, but once fatigue has subsided a potentiation effect may be evident. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of maximal stretch shortening cycle (SSC) fatigue on the subsequent performance of endurance trained athletes and to examine the pattern of recovery. METHODS: Nine endurance trained athletes performed four initial sets of drop and rebound jumps on sledge and force plate apparatus in order establish baseline levels of performance. A maximal SSC fatigue protocol was then performed by each subject; consisting of consecutive rebound jumps to a height of 90% of their maximum baseline jump until they could no longer reach their target on three consecutive jumps. This was followed immediately by one set of drop and rebound jumps at 15, 45, 120, 300 and 600 seconds post fatigue. Measurements of peak ground reaction force (GRF), ground contact time (CT), jump height, reactive strength index (RSI) and leg spring stiffness (kvert) were calculated for each drop jump (DJ) and rebound jump (RBJ). All recovery interval jumps were analysed and each subject's minimum and maximum post fatigue jump was selected for further analyses. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to evaluate the differences between the average of the baseline scores and the minimum and maximum scores achieved in the post tests. RESULTS: The fatigue protocol resulted in a significant reduction in jump height (p<0.001) and RSI (p<0.01) in the DJ and a significant reduction in GRF (p<0.01), jump height (p<0.01) and RSI (p<0.01) in the RBJ. The maximal fatigue workout also resulted in performance potentiation. During the latter recovery intervals, after fatigue had subsided, there was a significant improvement in performance in kvert (p<0.05) in the DJ and in GRF (p<0.001) and kvert (p<05) in the RBJ. This response was individual for each subject and occurred at either 300 or 600 seconds post fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Exhausting SSC exercise induces a clear and immediate decrease in jumping performance and the biomechanical process of the jumps in endurance trained athletes. However, maximal SSC fatigue can also result in a potentiation affect in endurance athletes, in the latter stages of recovery. Funded by IRCSET

The decrease in electrically evoked force production is delayed by a previous bout of stretch–shortening cycle exercise

Unaccustomed physical exercise with a large eccentric component is accompanied by muscle damage and impaired contractile function, especially at low stimulation frequencies. A repeated bout of eccentric exercise results in less damage and improved recovery of contractile function. Here we test the hypotheses that (1) a prior stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise protects against impaired muscle function during a subsequent bout of SSC exercise and (2) the protection during exercise is transient and becomes less effective as the exercise progresses. Healthy untrained men (n = 7) performed SSC exercise consisting of 100 maximal drop jumps at 30 s intervals. The same exercise was repeated 4 weeks later. Peak quadriceps muscle force evoked by electrical stimulation at 15 (P15) and 50 (P50) Hz was measured before exercise, after 10, 25, 50 and 100 jumps as well as 1 and 24 h after exercise. P15 and P50 were higher during the initial phase of the repeated bout compared with the first exercise bout, but there was no difference between the bouts at the end of the exercise periods. P15 and P50 were again larger 24 h after the repeated bout. The P15/P50 ratio during exercise was not different between the two bouts, but it was higher after the repeated bout. A prior bout of SSC exercise temporarily protects against impaired contractile function during a repeated exercise bout. The protection can again be seen after exercise, but the underlying mechanism then seems to be different.

Manipulation of Rest Period Length Induces Different Causes of Fatigue in Vertical Jumping

The aim of this study was to directly compare the causes of fatigue after a short- and a long-rest interval between consecutive stretch-shortening cycle exercises. Eleven healthy males jumped with different resting period lengths (short=6.1+/-1 s, long=8.6+/-0.9 s), performing countermovement jumps at 95% of their maximal jump height until they were unable to sustain the target height. After short- and long-rest, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction knee extension torque decreased (-7%; p=0.04), comparing to values obtained before exercise protocols. No change was seen from pre- to post-exercise, for either short- or long-rest, in biceps femoris coactivation (-1%; p=0.95), peak-to-peak amplitude (1%; p=0.95) and duration (-8%; p=0.92) of the compound muscle action potential of the vastus lateralis. Evoked peak twitch torque reduced after both exercise protocols (short=-26%, long=-32%; p=0.003) indicating peripheral fatigue. However, central fatigue occurred only after short-rest evidenced by a reduction in voluntary activation of the quadriceps muscle (-14%; p=0.013) measured using the interpolated twitch technique. In conclusion, after stretch-shortening cycle exercise using short rest period length, the cause of fatigue was central and peripheral, while after using long rest period length, the cause of fatigue was peripheral.

Molecular adaptations of voltage‐gated sodium ion channel related proteins after fatiguing stretch‐shortening cycle exercise

Dystrophin associated protein alpha-syntrophin is known to interact with voltage-gated sodium ion channel (NaCh). Dystrophin is known to be sensitive to eccentric muscle actions. For this reason, the function of the NaChs might also be affected. Molecular adaptations of dystrophin, alpha-syntrophin and NaChs were investigated after fatiguing stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise, which consisted of unilateral jumps on a sledge apparatus. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle of eight healthy subjects immediately after (IA) and 2 days after (2D) the exercise to analyze mRNA levels and immunohistochemical staining patterns. SSC exercise resulted in decreased isometric maximal voluntary contraction (IA: -31+/-9%, 2D: -14+/-16%) and a delayed increase of plasma creatine kinase activity (2D: +178+/-211%). Despite muscle soreness (P<0.001), no morphological damage was observed and no changes were found in the mRNA concentrations. However, the relative changes of the mRNA concentrations of alpha-syntrophin and NaChs were highly correlated (r=0.93, P<0.001) 2D after SSC exercise. This consistent pattern of mRNA regulation may imply a functional relationship between these two proteins. In addition, the current experiment emphasises high inter-individual variation in molecular responses to heavy exercise.

Delayed influence of stretch‐shortening cycle fatigue on large ankle joint position coded with static positional signals

This study examines the static position sense from the ankle joint following a unilateral exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)-type exercise involving mostly the triceps surae muscle group. Fatigue effects were quantified within the exercised and non-exercised leg through a maximal isometric voluntary plantarflexion test (MVC) performed immediately before (Pre) and after the SSC exercise, and repeated 2 (D2) and 8 (D8) days later. The static position sense test consisted in active reproductions with the non-exercised ankle of two target dorsiflexed positions (small and large) previously maintained with either the non-exercised (control procedure) or the exercised ankle (fatigue procedure). This test was carried out at Pre, D2, and D8. At D2, the MVC test revealed significant decreases in voluntary soleus muscle activity and peak plantarflexion force. The position sense test showed no error in reproduction accuracy in the control procedure. In contrast, the fatigue procedure revealed an overestimation of the large dorsiflexed position, only, with an associated increase of the agonist tibialis muscle activity. In agreement with the antagonist (stretched) muscle influence on the position sense, this overestimation is mostly attributed to potential SSC fatigue effects on ascending proprioceptive afferents issued from the exercised/inflamed antagonist muscles.

Changes in illusory ankle movements induced by tendon vibrations during the delayed recovery phase of stretch-shortening cycle fatigue: An indirect study of muscle spindle sensitivity modifications

This study examined the perceived movement velocity induced by tendon vibrations during the delayed recovery phase of a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)-type exercise characterized by 2 to 4 days of neuromuscular and proprioceptive impairments. Seven subjects performed until exhaustion series of unilateral rebounds involving mostly the triceps surae muscle group. Fatigue effects were quantified for the exercised and non-exercised legs through muscle soreness and maximal voluntary plantarflexion test (MVC) performed immediately before (PRE) and after the SSC exercise, and repeated 2 days later (D2). At PRE and D2, mechanical vibrations at 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 Hz were applied to distal tendons of the exercised ankle. For each vibration, the subjects had to reproduce the perceived movement velocity with the non-exercised ankle. According to previous studies, the sole exercised leg was characterized by a D2 peak of muscle soreness associated, in the MVC test, with significant decreases in maximal force and mean soleus muscle activity. As compared to the PRE test and in all subjects, the vibrations applied at D2 to the tendon of the fatigued ankle extensor muscles led to significant decreases in the perceived movement velocity at 80 and 100 Hz, but to an increased one at 40 Hz. In contrast, vibrations applied to the tendon of the non-fatigued ankle flexor muscle did not result in any significant change. These results suggest that the delayed recovery phase of SSC fatigue is characterized by changes in muscle proprioception, which may partly result from a decreased sensitivity of the primary endings.

Bimodal Recovery Pattern in Human Skeletal Muscle Induced by Exhaustive Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise

Recovery of force and stretch reflex from exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise is usually bimodal, characterized as immediate exercise-induced performance reduction, with its quick recovery followed by a longer-lasting reduction in performance. A clear parallel exists between the respective changes in performance, neural activation, and metabolic or structural exercise-induced changes. This implies the existence of potential coupling between muscle failure and the induced neural adjustments that take place along its recovery. The present study was designed to explore the evidence of this coupling more thoroughly. H- and stretch reflexes were measured before and periodically after exhaustive SSC exercise in human subjects. Several markers of muscle damage and inflammation were also measured during the 8-d postexercise follow-up period. The results indicate that acute changes of H- and stretch reflex patterns and maximal isometric force are associated with significant increases in lactate, interleukin 6, and prostaglandin E2 concentrations. The delayed changes in reflexes and isometric force occurred concomitantly with increases in muscle thickness, C reactive protein, and substance P concentrations and also in serum creatine kinase activity. The immediate postexercise decreases in H- and stretch reflexes are probably partially caused by activation of group III and IV afferent fibers by high lactate concentration in combination with possible increases in potassium outflow. Both of these parameters recovered quickly (i.e., 2 h after exercise). The events after the 2-h postexercise point are very likely to be related to muscle damage and associated inflammation. Group III and IV afferent fibers are probably reactivated during this period by mechanical factors.

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

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.

Excitability of the soleus reflex arc during intensive stretch–shortening cycle exercise in two power-trained athlete groups

In several explosive types of sport events the leg extensor muscles are subjected to very high impact loads. Thus, extreme requirements exist for the neuromuscular system to develop sufficient muscle stiffness in the lower extremities in order to tolerate these high impact loads. Therefore, it would be challenging to measure reflex modulation during high impact activities, and with different athlete populations. In the present experiment, H-reflex and short latency reflex (M1) sensitivity was measured during drop jump exercises among high jumpers and sprinters. The changes in both reflex peak-to-peak amplitudes showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction towards the end of the exercise for the sprinters. In addition, the same subject group showed a remarkable increase in serum creatine kinase (CK) activity 2 h after the jumps. Similar changes could not be observed for the high jumpers. These results clearly indicate different neural adaptation strategies for the two athlete groups. Reduction in H-reflex sensitivity and an increase in CK-activity in sprinters were taken as evidence for presynaptic inhibition, probably induced by substances related to muscle damage. Since high jump training includes more high impact loading, it was assumed that it could lead to some structural adaptation and, thus, prevents exercise induced reflex modification to a certain extent.

Stereological Analysis of Rat Skeletal Muscle Following Dietary Antioxidant Supplementation and Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise

Stereological Analysis of Rat Skeletal Muscle Following Dietary Antioxidant Supplementation and Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise

Changes in the soleus muscle architecture after exhausting stretch-shortening cycle exercise in humans

This study focused on the architectural changes in the muscle-tendon complex during the immediate and secondary (delayed) reductions of performance (bimodal recovery) caused by an exhaustive rebound type stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise. The isometric plantar flexor torque during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was measured together with recording of electromyography (EMG) and ultrasonography from the soleus muscle before (BEF), after (AFT), 2 h (2H), 2 and 8 days (2D, 8D) after the SSC exercise (n=8). The performance variables (MVC torque and EMG activation) followed the bimodal recovery patterns. This was not the case in the changes of the fascicle length and muscle thickness. The relative torque changes in MVC correlated positively (R=0.78, P=0.02) to the corresponding averaged EMG changes between BEF and 2H (BEF-->2H); the significance disappeared in the comparison between 2H and 2D (2H-->2D), during which period MVC showed a secondary reduction. The relative torque changes in MVC showed no correlation with the changes in muscle thickness between BEF-2H. However, this correlation between 2H-2D was negative (R=-0.85, P<0.01). The fascicle shortening/average EMG ratio in MVC increased at 2H, and then decreased more at 2D than 2H (P<0.05). Thus, the secondary performance decline was not related to the corresponding EMG reduction but to the increased muscle thickness, which peaked at 2D. The results suggest clearly that the secondary decline in MVC could be related to the increase in muscle volume.

Effects of exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle exercise on muscle blood flow during exercise

The influence of exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle exercise (SSC) on skeletal muscle blood flow (BF) during exercise is currently unknown. Quadriceps femoris (QF) BF was measured in eight healthy men using positron emission tomography before and 3 days after exhaustive SSC exercise. The SSC protocol consisted of maximal and submaximal drop jumps with one leg. Needle biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscles were taken immediately and 2 days after SSC for muscle endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1beta) mRNA level determinations. All subjects reported subjective muscle soreness after SSC (P < 0.001), which was well in line with a decrease in maximal isometric contraction force (MVC) and increase in serum creatine kinase activity (CK) (P = 0.018). After SSC muscle BF was 25% higher in entire QF (P = 0.043) and in its deep and superficial muscle regions, whereas oxygen uptake remained unchanged (P = 0.893). Muscle biopsies revealed increased IL-1beta (30 min: 152 +/- 75%, P = 0.012 and 2 days: 108 +/- 203%, P = 0.036) but decreased or unchanged eNOS (30 min; -21 +/- 57%, P = 0.050 and 2 days: +101 +/- 204%, P = 0.779) mRNA levels after SSC. It was concluded that fatiguing SSC exercise induces increased muscle BF during exercise, which is likely to be associated with pro-inflammatory processes in the exercised muscle.

Leg stiffness modulation during exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle exercise

The present study examined the effects of muscle activity modulation on leg stiffness during an exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise in eight male subjects. Reaction force, electromyography (EMG) of the soleus (Sol), gastrocnemius (Ga) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles and sledge seat position were recorded during the SSC exercise, consisting of 100 maximal intermittent drop jumps followed by a continuous submaximal jumping until exhaustion, on a sledge apparatus. Metabolic loading was determined by measuring blood lactate (La). No change was found in leg stiffness during the maximal jumps, whereas the subsequent submaximal jumping induced a significant reduction by 27+/-12% (P<0.05). Leg stiffness was closely related to the EMG ratio between the braking and push-off phases in Sol (r=0.81, P<0.05) and particularly in Ga (r=0.98, P<0.001) (but not in VL, r=0.64, NS) at the end of the submaximal jumping. Furthermore, the post-exercise La was significantly associated with the EMG ratio at the end of the submaximal jumping in Sol (r=-0.88, P<0.01) and Ga (r=-0.98, P<0.001). These results indicate that activity modulation between the braking and push-off phases in the triceps surae muscle, particularly in Ga, plays an important role in leg stiffness adjustments during fatiguing SSC exercise. It is suggested that efficient activity modulation (i.e. high EMG ratio) of the triceps surae muscle during an intensive fatiguing SSC exercise may postpone the exhaustion and development of metabolic fatigue.

Effects of Stretch Shortening Cycle Exercise Fatigue on Stress Fracture Injury Risk During Landing

Effects of Stretch Shortening Cycle Exercise Fatigue on Stress Fracture Injury Risk During Landing

Effects of Stretch Shortening Cycle Exercise Fatigue on Stress Fracture Injury Risk During Landing

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in landing performance during fatigue that could result in increased stress fracture injury risk. Five participants performed nonfatigued and fatigued drop landings (0.60 m), while ground reaction force (GRF), electromyographic (EMG) activity, and kinematics were recorded. Fatigue was defined as a 5-20% reduction in vertical jumping performance. Single-subject analyses revealed that all participants were affected (p < .05) by fatigue. Post hoc comparisons revealed a group effect (p < .05) for selected variables. Participants landed with (a) less joint flexion at contact and used a greater range of motion, (b) greater GRF peaks and loading rates, and (c) less EMG activity. These changes were consistent with greater risk of stress fracture.

Influence of the contact time on coupling time and a simple method to measure coupling time

The enhancement of performance in stretch shortening cycle (SSC) exercises has been attributed to the recoil of elastic energy stored during the stretching phase and depends on the duration of the coupling time (T(coupling)) i.e., the duration of the isometric phase occurring between the stretch and the shortening of the muscle. However, instead of T(coupling), the contact time (T(contact))--i.e., the sum of T(coupling) plus the duration of the stretching and shortening phases that precede and follow T(coupling)--is more easily and often measured. The aim of this study was to investigate the T(coupling) changes within a large range of T(contact), in order to propose a possible relationship between T(coupling) and T(contact), thus allowing the accurate measurement of T(coupling )only from a tachometer and force data obtained classically in vertical jumps, jumps on sledge apparatus and running on force treadmills. Eleven subjects performed SSC exercises on a sledge apparatus with a large range of T(contact) (400, 700, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 ms). The T(coupling) and T(contact) values were measured individually, from force platform recordings and the velocity of the carriage seat obtained by a tachometer. For the longest T(contact) (i.e., from 850 to 2,500 ms), we observed a significant linear relationship between T(contact) and T(coupling). This transition between T(contact) shorter or longer than about 850 ms seems to be important and to correspond to T(coupling) close to 300 ms. This limit observed in the present study could be explained physiologically due to a possible modification of the cross-bridges formation.

The Optimal Complex Training Rest Interval for Athletes from Anaerobic Sports

Complex training research has indicated that 3-4 minutes may be an optimum intracomplex rest interval. The purpose of this study was to determine if a heavy resistive exercise causes performance enhancement of a slow stretch-shortening cycle exercise and if there is an optimal rest interval. Eighteen subjects performed countermovement jumps (CMJs) before and after a 5 repetition maximum back squat lifting protocol. This procedure was repeated 4 times over 2 days using rest intervals of 30 seconds and 2, 4, and 6 minutes. Flight time and peak ground reaction force (GRF) were the dependent variables. All jumps were performed on a specially constructed sledge and force platform apparatus. Repeated measures analysis of variance found a significant reduction in flight time at the 30-second and 6-minute interval (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between men and women. Only the men showed an enhancement in jump performance after the 4-minute interval. The improvement window was different for each subject, and an analysis of the greatest increase and decrease in flight time and peak GRF was conducted, showing a significant decrease for men and women and a significant increase in flight time for men and peak ground reaction force for women. The results suggest that complex training can benefit or inhibit CMJ performance depending on the rest interval. The individual determination of the intracomplex rest interval may be necessary in the practical setting.

Stretch-shortening cycle exercises: an effective training paradigm to enhance power output of human single muscle fibers

Functional performance of lower limb muscles and contractile properties of chemically skinned single muscle fibers were evaluated before and after 8 wk of maximal effort stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise training. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of eight men before and after the training period. Fibers were evaluated regarding their mechanical properties and subsequently classified according to their myosin heavy chain content (SDS-PAGE). After training, maximal leg extensor muscle force and vertical jump performance were improved 12% (P<0.01) and 13% (P<0.001), respectively. Single-fiber cross-sectional area increased 23% in type I (P<0.01), 22% in type IIa (P<0.001), and 30% in type IIa/IIx fibers (P<0.001). Peak force increased 19% in type I (P<0.01), 15% in type IIa (P<0.001), and 16% in type IIa/IIx fibers (P<0.001). When peak force was normalized with cross-sectional area, no changes were found for any fiber type. Maximal shortening velocity was increased 18, 29, and 22% in type I, IIa, and hybrid IIa/IIx fibers, respectively (P<0.001). Peak power was enhanced in all fiber types, and normalized peak power improved 9% in type IIa fibers (P<0.05). Fiber tension on passive stretch increased in IIa/IIx fibers only (P<0.05). In conclusion, short-term SSC exercise training enhanced single-fiber contraction performance via force and contraction velocity in type I, IIa, and IIa/IIx fibers. These results suggest that SSC exercises are an effective training approach to improve fiber force, contraction velocity, and therefore power.

Effects of isometric squat training on the tendon stiffness and jump performance

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of isometric squat training on human tendon stiffness and jump performances. Eight subjects completed 12 weeks (4 days/week) of isometric squat training, which consisted of bilateral leg extension at 70% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for 15 s per set (10 sets/day). Before and after training, the elongations of the tendon-aponeurosis complex in the vastus lateralis muscle and patella tendon were directly measured using ultrasonography while the subjects performed ramp isometric knee extension up to MVC. The relationship between the estimated muscle force and tendon elongation was fitted to a linear regression, the slope of which was defined as stiffness. In addition, performances in two kinds of maximal vertical jumps, i.e. squatting (SJ) and counter-movement jumps (CMJ), were measured. The training significantly increased the volume (P < 0.01) and MVC torque (P < 0.01) of the quadriceps femoris muscle. The stiffness of the tendon-aponeurosis complex increased significantly from 51 +/- 22 (mean +/- SD) to 59 +/- 24 N/mm (P = 0.04), although that of the patella tendon did not change (P = 0.48). The SJ height increased significantly after training (P = 0.03), although the CMJ height did not (P = 0.45). In addition, the relative difference in jump height between SJ and CMJ decreased significantly after training (P = 0.02). These results suggest that isometric squat training changes the stiffness of human tendon-aponeurosis complex in knee extensors to act negatively on the effects of pre-stretch during stretch-shortening cycle exercises.

Contribution of the tendinous tissue to force enhancement during stretch–shortening cycle exercise depends on the prestretch and concentric phase intensities

When the prestretch intensity and concentric work are increased in stretch–shortening cycle (SSC) exercises, the utilization of the elastic energy can increase during the concentric phase. In order to further understand this process during SSC exercises, the interaction between fascicle–tendinous tissues (TT) of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle was examined under different prestretch and rebound intensity drop jumps. Ten male subjects participated in the study. Direct VL fascicle lengths ( N = 10) and in vivo patellar tendon force ( N = 1) were measured together with the electromyographic (EMG) activity of VL during the trials. With increasing drop height but the same rebound height condition, the TT stretch increased during the early braking phase with a subsequent increase in its recoil during the early push-off phase. This occurred concomitantly with decreased fascicle shortening and EMG activation. However, with the increased rebound height but the same drop height condition, the fascicles were stretched less during the late braking phase with higher EMG activation. In this situation, TT could be stretched more by the tension provided by fascicles. Consequently, the TT recoil increased during the late push-off phase. These observations confirm that there can be an intensity specific fascicle–TT interaction during SSC exercises.