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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MUSCLE FATIGUE CHARACTERISTICS AND MARKERS OF ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE |
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Martyn G. Morris1  ,
Helen Dawes1,3, Ken Howells1, Oona M. Scott1,2 and Mary Cramp1,2 |
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1Movement Science Group, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane Campus, Oxford, UK, 2University of East London, Stratford Campus, London, UK, 3University of Oxford, Wellington Square, Oxford, UK |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 431 - 436 Search Google Scholar for Citing Articles |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of a range
of in-vivo whole muscle characteristics to determinants of endurance performance.
Eleven healthy males completed a cycle ergometer step test to exhaustion
for the determination of the lactate threshold, gross mechanical efficiency,
peak power and VO2max. On two separate occasions, contractile
and fatigue characteristics of the quadriceps femoris were collected using
a specially designed isometric strength-testing chair. Muscle fatigue was
then assessed by stimulating the muscle for 3 minutes. Force, rate of force
development and rates of relaxation were calculated at the beginning and
end of the 3 minute protocol and examined for reliability and in relation
to lactate threshold, VO2max, gross mechanical efficiency and
peak power. Muscle characteristics, rate of force development and relaxation
rate were demonstrated to be reliable measures. Force drop off over the
3 minutes (fatigue index) was related to lactate threshold (r = -0.72 p
< 0.01) but not to VO2max. The rate of force development related
to the peak power at the end of the cycle ergometer test (r = -0.75 p <
0.01). Rates of relaxation did not relate to any of the performance markers.
We found in-vivo whole muscle characteristics, such as the fatigue index
and rate of force development, relate to specific markers of peripheral,
but not to central, fitness components. Our investigation suggests that
muscle characteristics assessed in this way is reliable and could be feasibly
utilised to further our understanding of the peripheral factors underpinning
performance.
Key words: Muscle contractile characteristics; lactate threshold; electrical stimulation; VO2max. |
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