Comparisons of acute neuromuscular fatigue and recovery after maximal effort strength training using powerlifts

COMPARISONS OF ACUTE NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE IN MAXIMAL EFFORT STRENGTH TRAINING USING POWERLIFTS. N. T. Theilen, B. I. Campbell, M. C. Zourdos2, J. M. Oliver3, J. O\u27Halloran1, N. Asher1, J. M. Wilson4 1University of South Florida, Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, Tampa, FL 2Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 3Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 4University of Tampa, Tampa, FL Neuromuscular fatigue is associated with a decrease in velocity. Following powerlift training, the extent to which fatigue affects the performance velocity of each lift after a specified recovery interval has not yet been investigated. Purpose To assess the level of acute neuromuscular fatigue, as measured by a decrease in peak velocity, as a result of maximal effort strength training sessions with each powerlift. Methods Twelve resistance trained males (22.8 ± 2.6 yrs; 177.1 ± 6.7 cm; 83.0 ± 12.6 kgs) participated in a randomized crossover design with three conditions: Squat (SQ), Bench Press (BP), and Deadlift (DL). Subjects\u27 relative strength included the ability to successfully complete at least 1.5x their bodyweight in the squat exercise. Initially, baseline peak velocity (PV) was measured for each lift at 60% 1RM via a TENDO unit. One training session occurred each Monday for 3 consecutive weeks (1 week for each lift). Each training session consisted of a 1RM of the designated lift followed by 4 sets of 2 repetitions at 92.5% and 4 sets of 3 repetitions at 87.5%. Following training sessions, each lift PV was measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-training to compare with baseline measures and determine recovery. Data was analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA (p\u3c.05). Results SQ: No significant differences in PV of the SQ and DL following SQ training at each time point compared to baseline. Bench press PV significantly declined following squat training (Baseline = 1.069 m/s; 24 hours = 0.974 m/s [p = 0.019]; 48 hours = 1.015 m/s [p = 0.034]; 72 hours = 0.970 m/s [p = 0.004]. BP: No significant differences in PV of the SQ and DL following BP training at each time point compared to baseline. Bench press PV significantly declined only at 24 hours following BP training (Baseline = 1.069 m/s; 24 hours = 0.988 m/s [p = 0.004]). DL: No significant differences in PV of the DL following DL training as compared to baseline. Squat PV significantly declined at 24 hours following the DL training (Baseline = 1.384 m/s; 24 hours = 1.315 m/s [p = 0.032]. Similar to SQ, PV of the BP significantly declined only at 24 hours following DL training (Baseline = 1.069 m/s; 24 hours = 0.979 m/s [p \u3c 0.001]). Conclusions Bench press PV was significantly decreased 24-hours following each of the three powerlifts as compared to baseline values. Interestingly, there were no changes in squat and deadlift PV following training of that specific lift. Practical Applications Regardless of the powerlift trained, bench press PV at 60% was compromised 24-hours later. Therefore, following training of any powerlift, more than 24-hours may be needed to optimize performance in the BP at submaximal intensities