Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(7): 602-611
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964849
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Concurrent Endurance and Explosive Type Strength Training Improves Neuromuscular and Anaerobic Characteristics in Young Distance Runners

J. Mikkola1 , H. Rusko2 , A. Nummela1 , T. Pollari2 , K. Häkkinen2
  • 1Department of Physiology, Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland
  • 2Department of Biology of Physical Activity and Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 12, 2006

Publication Date:
20 March 2007 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

To study effects of concurrent explosive strength and endurance training on aerobic and anaerobic performance and neuromuscular characteristics, 13 experimental (E) and 12 control (C) young (16 - 18 years) distance runners trained for eight weeks with the same total training volume but 19 % of the endurance training in E was replaced by explosive training. Maximal speed of maximal anaerobic running test and 30-m speed improved in E by 3.0 ± 2.0 % (p < 0.01) and by 1.1 ± 1.3 % (p < 0.05), respectively. Maximal speed of aerobic running test, maximal oxygen uptake and running economy remained unchanged in both groups. Concentric and isometric leg extension forces increased in E but not in C. E also improved (p < 0.05) force-time characteristics accompanied by increased (p < 0.05) rapid neural activation of the muscles. The thickness of quadriceps femoris increased in E by 3.9 ± 4.7 % (p < 0.01) and in C by 1.9 ± 2.0 % (p < 0.05). The concurrent explosive strength and endurance training improved anaerobic and selective neuromuscular performance characteristics in young distance runners without decreases in aerobic capacity, although almost 20 % of the total training volume was replaced by explosive strength training for eight weeks. The neuromuscular improvements could be explained primarily by neural adaptations.

Key words

postpubertal endurance athlete - rapid force production - cardiovascular adaptation - neural adaptation

References

  • 1 Ahtiainen J, Pakarinen A, Alen M, Kraemer W B, Häkkinen K. Short vs. long rest period between the sets in hypertrophic resistance training: influence on muscle strength, size and hormonal adaptations in trained men.  J Strength Cond Res. 2005;  19 572-582
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Aunola S, Rusko H. Aerobic and anaerobic thresholds determined from venous lactate or from ventilation and gas exchange in relation to muscle fiber composition. Int.  J Sports Med. 1986;  7 161-166
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bassett D R, Howley E T. Limiting factors for maximum oxygen uptake and determinants of endurance performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 70-84
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bell G J, Syrotuik D, Martin T P, Burnham R, Quinney H A. Effect of concurrent strength and endurance training on skeletal muscle properties and hormone concentrations in humans.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  81 418-427
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bergh U, Sjödin B, Forsberg A. The relationship between body mass and oxygen uptake during running in humans.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 205-211
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Bulbulian R, Wilcox A R, Darabos B L. Anaerobic contribution to distance running performance of trained cross-country athletes. Med.  Sci Sports Exerc. 1986;  18 107-113
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Conley D L, Krahenbuhl G S. Running economy and distance running performance of highly trained athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1980;  12 357-360
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Dudley G A, Djamil R. Incompatibility of endurance- and strength training modes of exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1985;  59 1446-1451
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Durnin J, Womersley J. Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurement on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 year.  Br J Nutr. 1974;  32 72-92
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Fournier M, Ricci J, Taylor A W, Ferguson R J, Montpetit R R, Chaitman B R. Skeletal muscle adaptation in adolescent boys: sprint and endurance training and detraining.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;  14 453-456
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Hickson R C. Interference of strength development by simultaneously training strength and endurance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1980;  45 255-263
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Hickson R C, Dvorak B A, Gorostiaga E M, Kurowski T T, Foster C. Potential for strength and endurance training to amplify endurance performance.  J Appl Physiol. 1988;  65 2285-2290
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Hunter G, Demment R, Miller D. Development of strength and maximum oxygen uptake during simultaneous training for strength and endurance.  J Sports Med. 1987;  27 269-275
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Häkkinen K. Neuromuscular adaptation during strength training, aging, detraining, and immobilization.  Crit Rev Phys Rehabil Med. 1994;  6 161-198
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Häkkinen K, Alen M, Kallinen M, Izquierdo M, Jokelainen K, Lassila H, Mälkiä E, Kraemer W J, Newton R U. Muscle CSA, force production, and activation of leg extensors during isometric and dynamic actions in middle-aged and elderly men and women.  J Aging Phys Act. 1998;  6 232-247
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Häkkinen K, Komi P V, Alen M. Effects of explosive type strength training on isometric force- and relaxation time, electromyographic and muscle fiber characteristics of leg extensor muscles.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1985;  125 587-600
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Häkkinen K, Mero A, Kauhanen H. Specifity of endurance, sprint and strength training on physical performance capacity in young athletes.  J Sports Med. 1989;  29 27-35
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Häkkinen K, Pakarinen A, Kyröläinen H, Cheng S, Kim D, Komi P. Neuromuscular adaptations and serum hormones in females during prolonged power training.  Int J Sports Med. 1990;  11 91-98
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Johnston R E, Quinn T J, Kertzer R, Vroman N B. Strength training in female distance runners: impact of running economy.  J Strength Cond Res. 1997;  11 224-229
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Kraemer W, Patton J, Gordon S, Harman E, Deshchenes M, Renolds K, Newton R, Triplett N, Dziados J. Compatibility of high-intensity strength training and endurance training on hormonal and skeletal muscle adaptations.  J Appl Physiol. 1995;  78 976-989
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Leveritt M, Abernethy P, Barry B, Logan P. Concurrent strength and endurance training; a review.  Sports Med. 1999;  28 413-427
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Millet G, Jaouen B, Borrani F, Candau R. Effects of concurrent endurance and strength training running economy and V·O2 kinetics.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 1351-1359
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Miyatani M, Kanehisa H, Ito M, Kavakami Y, Fugunaga T. The Accuracy of volume estimates using ultrasound muscle thickness measurements in different muscle groups.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;  91 264-272
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Naughton G, Farpour-Lambert N, Carlson J, Bradney M, Van Praagh E. Physiological issues surrounding the performance of adolescent athletes.  Sports Med. 2000;  30 309-325
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Noakes T D. Implications of exercise testing for prediction of athletic performance: a contempory perspective.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988;  20 319-330
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Nummela A, Hämäläinen I, Rusko H. Comparison of the maximal anaerobic running test on treadmill and track.  J Sports Sci. 2007;  25 87-96
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Paavolainen L, Häkkinen K, Hämäläinen I, Nummela A, Rusko H. Explosive-strength training improves 5-km running time by improving running economy and muscle power.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  86 1527-1533
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Rusko H. Development of aerobic power in relation to age and training in cross-country skiers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 1040-1047
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Rusko H, Nummela A. Measurement of maximal and submaximal anaerobic power.  Int J Sports Med. 1996;  17 (Suppl 2) 89-130
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Rusko H, Nummela A, Mero A. New method for the evaluation of anaerobic running power in athletes.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1993;  63 97-101
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Sale D G. Neural adaptation to resistance training.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988;  20 (Suppl 5) 135-145
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Spurrs R, Murphy A, Watsford M. The effect of plyometric training on distance running performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  89 1-7
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Turner A M, Owings M, Schwane J A. Improvement in running economy after 6 weeks of plyometric training.  J Strength Cond Res. 2003;  17 60-67
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Van Cutsem M, Duchateau J, Hainaut K. Changes in single motor unit behaviour contribute to the increase in contraction speed after dynamic training in humans.  J Physiol. 1998;  513 295-305
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Wilson G J, Wood G A, Elliot B C. Optimal stiffness of series elastic component in stretch-shortening cycle activity.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  70 825-833
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

M.Sc. Jussi Mikkola

Department of Physiology
Research Institute for Olympic Sports

Rautpohjankatu 6

40700 Jyväskylä

Finland

Email: jussi.mikkola@kihu.fi

      >