Neuromuscular impairment after high-intensity running and vertical jump exercise protocols

BACKGROUND: Repetitive stretch-shortening cycle exercises generate high rates of mechanical work and consequently induce substantial muscular fatigue related to delayed neuromuscular functions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuromuscular impairment after high-intensity exercise protocols involving different gravity loads in stretch-shortening cycle - running (RUN) and vertical jumps (VJ). METHODS: Twenty-two healthy men, divided into two groups, VJ and RUN participated in this study. The individuals performed a training session involving six bouts of 30 s of VJ or RUN. The isokinetic PM (PM) of the knee extensors and flexor muscles, rate of perceived exertion and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were evaluated at pre, post, 24 h and 48 h post-training. RESULTS: The concentric and eccentric PM of the extensor in the RUN group was reduced until 24 h, while in the VJ a decrement was observed until 48 h. Following running, the PM of the flexors decreased until 48 h, while for VJ there was an eccentric PM decrement at 48 h. The DOMS increased at the anterior thigh and only after VJ training for 48 h. CONCLUSION: Acute and delayed neuromuscular impairment may be observed after both exercise regimens, but high-intensity training using vertical jumps seems to induce a more pronounced impairment than running.