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Neuromuscular fatigability during repeated sprints assessed with an innovative cycle ergometer
H Di Domenico1, J B Beaume1, A Peyrard1
1Inter-University Laboratory of Human Movement Sciences, Univ Savoie Mont-Blanc, EA 7424, Chambéry, France.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|February 25, 2022
Summary
Repeated sprint exercise causes peripheral fatigue early, followed by central fatigue later. Peripheral factors drive initial power loss, while central factors contribute more as fatigue progresses.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Neuromuscular Function
Background:
- Repeated sprint ability (RSA) is crucial for performance in team sports.
- Understanding the development and underlying causes of fatigue during RSA is essential for training and performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of fatigability during a cycle repeated sprint exercise (RSE) until task failure.
- To identify the central and peripheral physiological factors contributing to fatigue during RSE.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen healthy males performed an RSE protocol on a cycle ergometer until a 30% decrease in mean power (Pmean) was observed.
- Measurements included isometric maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC), voluntary activation (VA), and twitch (Pt) to assess central and peripheral fatigue.
- Data were analyzed at different percentages of total sprints to task failure (TSTF) and extrapolated.
Main Results:
- Sprint performance and IMVC decreased progressively, with peripheral alterations (Pt) plateauing around 40% TSTF.
- Central alterations (VA) were significant only in the latter stages of the RSE (after 60% TSTF), while peripheral alterations plateaued.
- VA demonstrated faster recovery kinetics compared to peripheral parameters post-exercise.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue during RSE is initially driven by peripheral factors, with central factors becoming more involved later in the exercise.
- The differing recovery patterns of central and peripheral fatigue components highlight the need for timely neuromuscular fatigue assessments post-exercise.
