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Published on: January 28, 2020
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Neuromuscular and physiological variables evolve independently when running immediately after cycling
Joel A Walsh1, Alexander Stamenkovic1, Romuald Lepers2
1Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Summary
Running after cycling does not significantly alter leg muscle EMG patterns in triathletes. However, muscle recruitment variability increases during the transition from cycling to running.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Electromyography (EMG) studies often analyze muscle activity at arbitrary time points.
- Understanding neuromuscular adaptations during multi-sport transitions is crucial for athletic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in lower limb EMG patterns during the cycle-run transition at physiologically determined times.
- To assess neuromuscular adaptations in highly trained triathletes after cycling.
Main Methods:
- Six elite triathletes performed isolated running, followed by cycling, then a transition run.
- Surface EMG of eight lower limb muscles was recorded and analyzed at specific time points.
- Oxygen uptake and heart rate were monitored throughout the protocol.
Main Results:
- EMG patterns showed high reproducibility within participants across all measured time points.
- Mean EMG patterns during the cycle-run transition were highly correlated with isolated run patterns.
- Increased variability in muscle recruitment was observed during the cycle-run transition compared to isolated running.
Conclusions:
- Prior cycling does not significantly alter the fundamental EMG patterns of the leg during subsequent running in triathletes.
- The transition from cycling to running appears to increase the variability of muscle activation strategies.
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