Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(4): 275-280
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-308
Training and Testing
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

The Effects of a Prolonged Running Exercise on Strength Characteristics

R. Lepers, M. L. Pousson, N.  A. Maffiuletti, A. Martin, J. Van Hoecke
  • Groupe Analyse du Mouvement, UFR STAPS, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon Cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

The aim of this study was to examine concentric, isometric, and eccentric strength reductions in the quadriceps muscle following a prolonged running exercise. Before and after a 2 h run (28.4 ± 1.4 km) peak torque (PT) of the knee extensors at angular velocities of - 120, - 90, - 60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240° · s-1 using an isokinetic dynamometer, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles and height of a counter movement jump were recorded in twelve well-trained triathletes. Counter movement jump performances decreased by 10 % and PT values were all significantly lower (p < 0.01) at each angular velocity following the run. The torque loss was significantly (p < 0.01) greater under eccentric contractions (from 18 to 21 %) than under concentric ones (from 11 to 14 %). EMG activity (RMS) was lower in both VL and VM muscles after the 2 h run but no difference existed in RMS losses between concentric and eccentric contractions. The present results demonstrate that 1) a prolonged running exercise more greatly affects eccentric force production in the quadriceps muscle, and 2) this specificity seems to be due to an impairment of the muscular contractile mechanism rather than a modification to the neural input.

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 Romuald Lepers

Groupe Analyse du Mouvement UFR STAPS, Université de Bourgogne

BP 27877 21078 Dijon Cedex France

Phone: Phone:+ 33 (380) 396760

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Email: E-mail:romuald.lepers@u-bourgogne.fr