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Chronic Resistance Training Does Not Ameliorate Unloading-Induced Decrements in Neuromuscular Function
Michael R Deschenes1, Raymond W McCoy, Katherine A Mangis
1From the Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences (MRD, RWM, KAM) and Program in Neuroscience (MRD), The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|January 19, 2017
Summary
Long-term resistance training does not prevent muscle unloading effects on neuromuscular function. Despite superior baseline performance, trained individuals still experienced declines in muscle performance after unloading.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuromuscular Function
Background:
- Muscle unloading leads to detrimental effects on neuromuscular function.
- The protective role of long-term resistance training against these effects is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of long-term resistance training in preventing muscle unloading's negative impact on neuromuscular function.
Main Methods:
- Compared neuromuscular function in resistance-trained and untrained men before and after 7 days of muscle unloading.
- Assessed muscle mass, strength, power, electromyography, and neuromuscular transmission efficiency.
Main Results:
- Muscle performance declined in both groups at slower velocities after unloading.
- Resistance-trained individuals maintained superior performance but still showed detriments.
- Muscle mass, EMG activity, and transmission efficiency were not significantly altered by unloading in either group.
Conclusions:
- Chronic resistance training does not neutralize the negative effects of muscle unloading on neuromuscular function.
- Adaptations from resistance training offer no prophylactic benefit against unloading-induced neuromuscular decline.
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