Effect of long‐term maximum strength training on explosive strength, neural and contractile properties

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare explosive strength and underpinning contractile, hypertrophic and neuromuscular activation characteristics of long-term maximum strength trained (LT-MST; i.e. ≥3 years of consistent, regular knee extensor training) and untrained individuals. Sixty-three healthy young men (untrained [UNT] n=49, and LT-MST n=14) performed isometric maximum and explosive voluntary, as well as evoked octet knee extension contractions. Torque, quadriceps and hamstring surface EMG were recorded during all tasks. Quadriceps anatomical cross-sectional area (QACSAMAX; via MRI) was also assessed. Maximum voluntary torque (MVT; +66%) and QACSAMAX (+54%) were greater for LT-MST than UNT ([both] P<0.001). Absolute explosive voluntary torque (25-150 ms after torque onset; +41 to +64%; [all] P<0.001; 1.15≤ effect size [ES]≤2.36;) and absolute evoked octet torque (50 ms after torque onset; +43, P<0.001; ES=3.07) were greater for LT-MST than UNT. However, relative (to MVT) explosive voluntary torque was lower for LT-MST than UNT from 100-150 ms after contraction onset (-11% to -16%; 0.001≤P≤0.002; 0.98≤ES≤1.11). Relative evoked octet torque 50 ms after onset was lower (-10%; P