PHYSIOLOGICAL AREA 

Medicina dello Sport 2011 June;64(2):125-36

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Acute neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic demands in response to two different heavy resistive loading patterns

Mirzaei B., Barjaste A.

Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Aim. The purpose of this study was to examine neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic demands in response to two different heavy resistive loading patterns.
Methods. Nine soccer player amateurs (age=21.55±2.87 years, height=179±0.3 cm, and BF%=7.5±5.64) completed a single session of arm preacher curl (elbow flexion) with two different resistance exercise loading patterns after a six-week preliminary training phase (anatomical adaptation period). In Flat Pyramid Loading Pattern (FPLP), subjects started with a set of 80% 1RM, followed by four fixed sets at 90% 1RM, then finished with a set at 80% 1RM. In Skewed Pyramid Loading Pattern (SPLP), subjects started with a set at 80% 1RM, followed by incremental three sets at 85%, 90% and 95% 1RM, then finished with a set at 80% 1RM. Volume load (total repetitions and relative training load) was equated in both protocols while, the time the muscle was under tension (TUT) in SPLP protocol was greater than FPLP protocol. Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) and blood lactate were assessed pre-protocol and post-protocol to determine the acute neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic demands.
Results. The results showed that MVIC significantly decreased from 39.14±7.81 to 29.71±7.08 (kg) and from 39.75±9.41 to 28.87±7.47 (kg) after the SPLP and FPLP protocols, respectively (P≤0.05). No significant change was observed in blood lactate in both groups after SPLP and FPLP protocols (P≤0.05).
Conclusion. In conclusion, the results indicate that different heavy resistance loading patterns cause same neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic demands when the volume load, total repetitions and relative training load are equated.