Effects of neuromuscular training on muscle architecture, isometric force production, and stretch-shortening cycle function in trained young female gymnasts

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Publisher

National Strength and Conditioning Association

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

Funders

Arthritis Foundation

Grant Number

R01AR055563

Comments

Moeskops, S., Oliver, J. L., Radnor, J. M., Haff, G. G., Myer, G. D., Ramachandran, A. K., ... & Lloyd, R. S. (2022). Effects of neuromuscular training on muscle architecture, isometric force production, and stretch-shortening cycle function in trained young female gymnasts. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004856

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a 10-month neuromuscular training (NMT) intervention on muscle architecture, isometric force production, and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) function. Thirty-seven girls aged 6-12 years were placed into gymnastics + NMT (gNMT; n = 15), gymnastics only (GYM; n = 10), or maturity-matched control (CON; n = 12) groups. The gNMT group followed a 10-month NMT program in addition to gymnastics training, whereas the GYM group only participated in gymnastics training. Isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and drop jump (DJ) kinetics were measured, in addition to muscle thickness, fascicle length, and pennation angle of the gastrocnemius medialis at baseline and at 4, 7, and 10 months. A 3 × 4 (group × time) repeated-measures ANCOVA (covariate, % predicted adult height) was used to evaluate within-group changes. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Significant interaction effects were observed in muscle thickness, absolute (PFabs) and relative peak force (PFrel) in the IMTP and various DJ variables. The gNMT group demonstrated improvements in muscle thickness, IMTP PFabs and PFrel, and DJ kinetics, most commonly evidenced from 7 months onward. The GYM group's muscle thickness also significantly improved, accompanied by improvements in some DJ kinetics. The CON group did not experience any desirable changes. Overall, NMT elicited positive changes in muscle thickness, PFabs and PFrel, and SSC function to a greater extent than gymnastics training alone or growth and maturation. As most adaptations took 7 months, longer-term NMT programs should be implemented with youth female gymnasts.

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000004856

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