Lack of increased rate of force development after strength training is explained by specific neural, not muscular, motor unit adaptations
Alessandro Del Vecchio, Andrea Casolo, Jakob Lund Dideriksen, Per Aagaard, Francesco Felici, Deborah Falla, Dario Farina
Abstract
Although maximal force increases with strength training, the rate of force development may remain unaffected. For the first time, we associated motor unit population behavior during rapid force contractions before and after a 4-wk isometric strength training intervention. We found that strength training combined with slow and rapid contractions does not change rate of force development. The specific mechanisms include similar discharge rate during the initial phase of contraction and similar recruitment speed of motoneurons.
Topics & Concepts
Motor unitPhysical medicine and rehabilitationPhysical strengthMedicineNeuroscienceAnatomyPsychologySports Performance and TrainingMuscle activation and electromyography studiesChildren's Physical and Motor Development