Katja Tomazin

Changes in running mechanics and spring-mass behavior induced by a mountain ultra-marathon race

Changes in running mechanics and spring-mass behavior due to fatigue induced by a mountain ultra-marathon race (MUM, 166km, total positive and negative elevation of 9500m) were studied in 18 ultra-marathon runners. Mechanical measurements were undertaken pre- and 3h post-MUM at 12km h(-1) on a 7m long pressure walkway: contact (t(c)), aerial (t(a)) times, step frequency (f), and running velocity (v) were sampled and averaged over 5-8 steps. From these variables, spring-mass parameters of peak vertical ground reaction force (F(max)), vertical downward displacement of the center of mass (Δz), leg length change (ΔL), vertical (k(vert)) and leg (k(leg)) stiffness were computed. After the MUM, there was a significant increase in f (5.9±5.5%; P<0.001) associated with reduced t(a) (-18.5±17.4%; P<0.001) with no change in t(c), and a significant decrease in both Δz and F(max) (-11.6±10.5 and -6.3±7.3%, respectively; P<0.001). k(vert) increased by 5.6±11.7% (P=0.053), and k(leg) remained unchanged. These results show that 3h post-MUM, subjects ran with a reduced vertical oscillation of their spring-mass system. This is consistent with (i) previous studies concerning muscular structure/function impairment in running and (ii) the hypothesis that these changes in the running pattern could be associated with lower overall impact (especially during the braking phase) supported by the locomotor system at each step, potentially leading to reduced pain during running.

Effect of fatigue on force production and force application technique during repeated sprints

We investigated the changes in the technical ability of force application/orientation against the ground vs. the physical capability of total force production after a multiple-set repeated sprints series. Twelve male physical education students familiar with sprint running performed four sets of five 6-s sprints (24s of passive rest between sprints, 3min between sets). Sprints were performed from a standing start on an instrumented treadmill, allowing the computation of vertical (F(V)), net horizontal (F(H)) and total (F(Tot)) ground reaction forces for each step. Furthermore, the ratio of forces was calculated as RF=F(H)F(Tot)(-1), and the index of force application technique (D(RF)) representing the decrement in RF with increase in speed was computed as the slope of the linear RF-speed relationship. Changes between pre- (first two sprints) and post-fatigue (last two sprints) were tested using paired t-tests. Performance decreased significantly (e.g. top speed decreased by 15.7±5.4%; P<0.001), and all the mechanical variables tested significantly changed. F(H) showed the largest decrease, compared to F(V) and F(Tot). D(RF) significantly decreased (P<0.001, effect size=1.20), and the individual magnitudes of change of D(RF) were significantly more important than those of F(Tot) (19.2±20.9 vs. 5.81±5.76%, respectively; P<0.01). During a multiple-set repeated sprint series, both the total force production capability and the technical ability to apply force effectively against the ground are altered, the latter to a larger extent than the former.

Changes in running mechanics and spring-mass behaviour induced by a 5-hour hilly running bout

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate changes in running mechanics and spring-mass behaviour with fatigue induced by 5-hour hilly running (5HHR). Running mechanics were measured pre- and post-5HHR at 10, 12 and 14 km · h-1 on an instrumented treadmill in eight ultramarathon runners, and sampled at 1000 Hz for 10 consecutive steps. Contact (tc ) and aerial (ta ) times were determined from ground reaction force (GRF) signals and used to compute step frequency (f). Maximal GRF, loading rate, downward displacement of the centre of mass (Δz), and leg length change (ΔL) during the support phase were determined and used to compute both vertical (Kvert ) and leg (Kleg ) stiffness. A significant decrease in tc was observed at 12 and 14 km · h-1 resulting in an increase of f at all speeds. Duty factor and Fmax significantly decreased at 10 km · h-1. A significant increase in Kvert and Kleg was observed at all running speeds with significant decreases in Δz and ΔL. Despite the shorter duration, the changes in running mechanics appeared to be in the same direction (increased f and Kvert , decrease in Δz and Fmax ) but of lower amplitude compared with those obtained after an ultra-trail or an ultramarathon.

Fat tissue alters quadriceps response to femoral nerve magnetic stimulation

OBJECTIVE We investigate the influence that inguinal fat has on maximal quadriceps response to femoral nerve magnetic stimulation. METHODS Vastus lateralis M-wave amplitude and quadriceps twitch peak torque were measured (i) in lean and overweight subjects and (ii) when slices of pig fat ranging from 2 to 18 mm in thickness were placed between the coil and the nerve. RESULTS In overweight group, the maximal response could not be elicited when intensity was ≤90% and ≤85% of maximal power for twitch torque and M-wave amplitude, respectively. The maximal response was obtained at 80% of maximal power in the lean group. Negative correlations between relative twitch torque changes and inguinal thickness were observed. Fat thickness altered quadriceps response at 14 mm and 8 mm in the lean and overweight groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The capacity of femoral nerve magnetic stimulation to deliver supramaximal stimulation is altered when fat thickness below the coil increases. SIGNIFICANCE Special caution should be taken by clinicians when overweight or obese subjects are tested using femoral nerve magnetic stimulation.

Changes in running mechanics over 100-m, 200-m and 400-m treadmill sprints.

PURPOSE Compare alterations in running mechanics during maximal treadmill sprints of different distances. METHODS Eleven physically active males performed short (100-m), medium (200-m) and long (400-m) running sprints on an instrumented treadmill. Continuous measurement of running kinetics/kinematics and spring-mass characteristics were recorded and values subsequently averaged over every 50-m distance intervals for comparison. RESULTS Compared with the initial 50m, running velocity decreased (P<0.001) by 8±2%, 20±4% and 39±7% at the end of the 100, 200 and 400-m, respectively. All sprint distances (except for step length in the 100-m) induced significantly longer (P<0.05) contact times (+7±4%, +22±8% and +36±13%) and lower step lengths (-1±4%, -5±5% and -41±2%) and frequencies (-6±3%, -13±7% and -22±8%) at the end of the 100-m, 200-m and 400-m, respectively. Larger reductions in ground reaction forces occurred in horizontal versus vertical direction, with greater changes with increasing sprinting distance (P<0.05). Similarly, the magnitude of decrement in vertical stiffness increased with sprint distance (P<0.05), while leg stiffness decreases were smaller and limited to 200-m and 400-m runs. Overall, we observed earlier and larger alterations for the 400-m compared with other distances. CONCLUSIONS The magnitude of changes in running velocity and mechanics over short (100-m), medium (200-m) and long (400-m) treadmill sprints increases with sprint distance. The alterations in stride mechanics occur relatively earlier during the 400-m compared with the 100-m and 200-m runs.

Etiology of Neuromuscular Fatigue After Repeated Sprints Depends on Exercise Modality

PURPOSE To compare neuromuscular fatigue induced by repeated-sprint running vs cycling. METHODS Eleven active male participants performed 2 repeated-maximal-sprint protocols (5×6 s, 24-s rest periods, 4 sets, 3 min between sets), 1 in running (treadmill) and 1 in cycling (cycle ergometer). Neuromuscular function, evaluated before (PRE); 30 s after the first (S1), the second (S2), and the last set (LAST); and 5 min after the last set (POST5) determined the knee-extensor maximal voluntary torque (MVC); voluntary activation (VA); single-twitch (Tw), high- (Db100), and low- (Db10) frequency torque; and maximal muscle compound action potential (M-wave) amplitude and duration of vastus lateralis. RESULTS Peak power output decreased from 14.6 ± 2.2 to 12.4 ± 2.5 W/kg in cycling (P < .01) and from 21.4 ± 2.6 to 15.2 ± 2.6 W/kg in running (P < .001). MVC declined significantly from S1 in running but only from LAST in cycling. VA decreased after S2 (~-7%, P < .05) and LAST (~-9%, P < .01) set in repeated-sprint running and did not change in cycling. Tw, Db100, and Db10/Db100 decreased to a similar extent in both protocols (all P < .001 post-LAST). Both protocols induced a similar level of peripheral fatigue (ie, low-frequency peripheral fatigue, no changes in M-wave characteristics), while underlying mechanisms probably differed. Central fatigue was found only after running. CONCLUSION Findings about neuromuscular fatigue resulting from RS cycling cannot be transferred to RS running.

The Effect of an Altitude Training Camp on Swimming Start Time and Loaded Squat Jump Performance

This study evaluated the influence of an altitude training (AT) camp on swimming start time and loaded squat jump performance. To accomplish this goal, 13 international swimmers (8 women, 5 men) were allocated to both the control (Sea Level Training, SLT) and experimental conditions (AT, 2320 m above sea level) that were separated by a one year period. All tests (15 m freestyle swimming start and loaded squat jumps with additional loads of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of swimmers’ body weight) were performed before and after a concurrent 3-week strength and endurance training program prescribed by the national coach. Following the SLT camp, significant impairments in swimming start times to 10 (+3.1%) and 15 m (+4.0%) were observed (P < 0.05), whereas no significant changes for the same distances were detected following the AT camp (-0.89%; P > 0.05). Trivial changes in peak velocity were obtained during the loaded squat jump after both training periods (effect sizes: < 0.20). Based on these results we can conclude that a traditional training high—living high strategy concurrent training of 3 weeks does not adversely affect swimming start time and loaded squat jump performance in high level swimmers, but further studies are necessary to assess the effectiveness of power-oriented resistance training in the development of explosive actions.

The Relationship Between the Lower-Body Muscular Profile and Swimming Start Performance

Abstract This study aimed to examine the correlation of different dry land strength and power tests with swimming start performance. Twenty international level female swimmers (age 15.3 ± 1.6 years, FINA point score 709.6 ± 71.1) performed the track freestyle start. Additionally, dry land tests were conducted: a) squat (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ), b) squat jumps with additional resistance equivalent to 25, 50, 75 and 100% of swimmers’ body weight [BW]), and c) leg extension and leg flexion maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Correlations between dry land tests and start times at 5, 10 and 15 m were quantified through Pearson’s linear correlation coefficients (r). The peak bar velocity reached during the jumps with additional resistance was the variable most correlated to swimming start performance (r = -0.57 to -0.66 at 25%BW; r = -0.57 to -0.72 at 50%BW; r = -0.59 to -0.68 at 75%BW; r = -0.50 to - 0.64 at 100%BW). A few significant correlations between the parameters of the SJ and the CMJ with times of 5 and 10 m were found, and none with the isometric variables. The peak velocity reached during jumps with external loads relative to BW was found a good indicator of swimming start performance.

Peripheral alterations after two different concentric power protocols

Abstract The aims of the present study were to assess the ability of explosive concentric contractions to induce high-frequency fatigue, and to determine what effects the number of repetitions and number of sets have upon peripheral fatigue. Nine male students performed two protocols (6 sets, 5 min and 1 week rest between sets and protocols, respectively) with a different number of concentric jumps in a set on the sledge (10 vs. 20 jumps in the first (S10) and the second protocol (S20), respectively). Isometric twitch torque, torque during low-frequency (20 Hz) and high-frequency (100 Hz) electrical stimulation of the vastus lateralis were measured (before protocols and 30 s after sets). Peak twitch torque increased, while contraction and half-relaxation times shortened during the S10 protocol (P<0.05). The increase in peak twitch torque was accompanied by non-significant reductions in contraction time and half-relaxation time in the S20 protocol. High- and low-frequency torques did not change significantly in either protocol. The high- to low-frequency torque ratio increased significantly (P<0.05) after the fourth set in the S10 protocol. Post-activation potentiation was the main reason for enhanced contractile response after both protocols. There were no alterations in high-frequency torque or reductions in the high- to low-frequency torque ratio, even with increased sets and repetitions. Explosive concentric contractions showed no potential to induce high-frequency fatigue, when separated with long periods of rest.