Abstract des Autors

Differences in the twitch potentiation capacity of plantarflexor (PF) muscles following brief, maximal, voluntary contractions were studied in male endurance (n=11) and power (n=12) athletes. To determine the contractile properties of PF muscles, the posterior tibial nerve in popliteal fossa was stimulated by supramaximal square wave pulses of 1 ms duration. The results of the study indicated that power athletes have significantly higher values of maximal twitch force, maximal rates of twitch force rise and relaxation in resting and potentiated condition, as well as maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC), compared to their endurance counterparts. Mean (+/-SD) post-activation potentiation value in power athletes (154.3+/-14.2%) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than in endurance athletes (128.3+/-16.8%). No significant differences in twitch contraction or half-relaxation times between the athletic groups were noted. The results indicate that power training induces a more pronounced increase in muscle force generated and force potentiation capacity compared to endurance training. Verf.-Referat