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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(7): 451-457
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1251991
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Plyometric Training on Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Boys

A. Skurvydas1 , M. Brazaitis1 , V. Streckis2 , E. Rudas1
  • 1Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, Department of Applied Physiology and Physiotherapy, Kaunas, Lithuania
  • 2LAPE, Laboratory of Human Motoric, Kaunas, Lithuania
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision February 26, 2010

Publication Date:
29 April 2010 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity plyometric training (PT) on central and peripheral fatigue during exercise performed at maximal intensity in prepubertal boys. The boys (n=13, age 10.3±0.3 years) performed continuous 2-min maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) before and after 16 high-intensity PT sessions (two training sessions per week, 30 jumps in each session, 20 s between jumps). The greatest effect of PT was on excitation-contraction coupling: twitch force increased by 323.2±210.8% and the height of a counter-movement jump increased by 36.7±11.7%, whereas quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle voluntary activation index, central activation ratio and MVC did not change significantly after PT. The thickness of QF increased by 8.8±7.9% after PT. Central fatigue increased significantly by about 15–20% after PT, whereas peripheral fatigue decreased significantly by about 10% during the 2-min MVC. Central fatigue and peripheral fatigue during the 2-min MVC were inversely related before PT, but this relationship disappeared after PT.

Key words

children - electrical stimulation - central and peripheral fatigue - plyometric training

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Correspondence

Dr. Marius Brazaitis

Lithuanian Academy of

Physical Education

Department of Applied

Physiology and Physiotherapy

Sporto 6

LT-44221 Kaunas

Lithuania

Phone: +37/0 37/302 621

Fax: +37/0 37/204 515

Email: kku712@yahoo.com