Recovery of Performance, Muscle Damage and Neuromuscular Fatigue Following Muscle Power Training

Muscle power is one of the most important parameters in almost every athletic action, and expresses the ability of the human muscle to produce great amounts of force with the greatest possible speed. Thus, muscle power is critical for high performance in athletic actions such as jumping, throwing, change of direction and sprinting. For enhancing their muscle power, athletes comprise several resistance training programs as part of their training. Muscle power training comprises of eccentric muscle actions, and the magnitude of these actions depend on the emphasis that is given on the concentric or eccentric action, respectively, of the muscles during the exercises. However, eccentric muscle action, especially when unaccustomed, can lead to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and deterioration of muscle performance. Despite the fact that muscle power training comprises eccentric muscle actions, and consequently can lead to muscle injury and muscle performance reduction during the following days, the recovery kinetics after acute muscle power training have not been adequately studied. However, information regarding the recovery of the muscles after a power training protocol, is critical for the correct design of a training microcycle, and the reduction of injury risk. The aim of the present study is to investigate the muscle injury provoked after acute muscle power training using three different power training exercise protocols. Additionally, we will examine the effect of these protocols on muscle performance and neuromuscular fatigue indices.