Neuromuscular response differences to power vs strength back squat exercise in elite athletes

Brandon, Raphael, Howatson, Glyn, Strachan, Fiona and Hunter, Angus (2015) Neuromuscular response differences to power vs strength back squat exercise in elite athletes. Scandinavian Journal Of Medicine & Science In Sports, 25 (5). pp. 630-639. ISSN 1600-0838

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Abstract

The study’s aim was to establish the neuromuscular responses in elite athletes during and following maximal ‘explosive’ regular back squat exercise at heavy, moderate and light loads. Ten elite track and field athletes completed 10 sets of 5 maximal squat repetitions on three separate days. Knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), rate of force development (RFD) and evoked peak twitch force (Pt) assessments were made pre- and post-session. Surface electromyography amplitude (RMS) and mechanical measurements were made continuously during all repetitions. The heavy session resulted in the greatest repetition impulse in comparison to moderate and light sessions (p<0.001), whilst the latter showed highest repetition power (p<0.001). MIVC, RFD and Pt force values were significantly reduced post-session (p<0.01), with greatest reduction observed after the heavy, followed by the moderate and light sessions accordingly. Repetition power significantly reduced during sets of the heavy session only (p<0.001), and greater increases in repetition RMS occurred during heavy session (p<0.001), followed by moderate, with no change during light session. In conclusion, this study has shown in elite athletes that the moderate load is optimal for providing a neuromuscular stimulus but with limited fatigue. This type of intervention could be potentially used in the development of both strength and power in elite athletic populations.

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