Physiological, Neuromuscular And Perceptional Responses On Repeated Lateral Movement At Different Speed And Distance

PURPOSE: This study aimed to (1) investigate the physiological, neuromuscular, and perceptional responses to repeated lateral movement (LM), and (2) explore the relationship between the above three kinds of responses. METHODS: Twenty young male college athletes (age: 20.9 ± 1.7 yrs, body mass: 72.8 ± 8.6 kg, height: 177.9 ± 5.6 cm; mean ± SD) performed 6 modes of repeated LM with 2 speeds (1.8 vs. 2.0 m/s) and 3 distances (2.5 vs. 5, and 10 m) on separated days. Heart rate (HR) was monitored throughout the whole LM process. Blood lactate (BLa) was collected before and after LM. The average height of countermovement jump (CMJ) was used to evaluate neuromuscular status. CMJ and Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after the exercise. The frequency of changes of direction (CODs) times in different modes was calculated as an independent variable. The correlations between all the above indicators were calculated. RESULTS: Both speed and distance had the main effect to HRmax, BLa, CMJ and RPE, but the distance was observed as a more significant main factor than speed for HRmax (F = 12.663, p < 0.001, = 0.25), CMJ (F = 19.496, p < 0.001, = 0.339), and RPE (F = 20.149, p < 0.001, = 0.347). A significant interaction effect (distance speed) was found for BLa (F = 3.87, p < 0.05, = 0.092). HRmax, BLa, CMJ, and RPE were correlated with each other (all p < 0.01) and showed a correlation with CODs (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Higher speed LM and greater frequency of CODs would induce higher physiological, neuromuscular, and perceptional responses. Future research should focus on the movement characteristics and muscle contraction modes of different actions in LM. KEYWORDS: change of direction; neuromuscular fatigue