A007: Neuromuscular Factors Affecting Lower Extremity Explosive Strengthof Male Track and Field Athletes

Objective: To investigate the neural and muscular factors affecting the explosive power of the lower limbs in college athletes by testing the neuromuscular function (H reflex) and explosive performance of male sprinting and long jump athletes. Methods: H-reflex, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and one repetition maximum(1RM) tests were performed on male track and field college athletes using electromyography evoked potential and three-dimensional dynamometer. Test data of Hmax/Mmax, H-index, peak countermovement jump force and vertical stiffness of male college athletes were obtained. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between neuromuscular function and explosive performance in male sprint and long jump athletes. Results: H-index was significantly and positively correlated (r=0.65, p＜0.05) with rate of force development(RFD); Hmax/Mmax was not significantly correlated with RFD and reactive strength index-modified(RSImod)in male athletes. CMJ peak force was significantly correlated with RFD (r=0.83, p ＜0.01) and RSImod (r=0.85 , p ＜0.01) were significantly and positively correlated. Vertical stiffness was significantly and positively correlated with RFD (r=0.64, p＜0.05) and RSImod (r=0.73, p＜0.05).1RM, eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) was not significantly correlated with RFD and RSImod. Conclusion: The neuromuscular factors affecting explosive lower limb strength in male collegiate athletes were H-index, CMJ peak force, and vertical stiffness. These results suggest that athletes who performed better in explosive strength showed faster nerve conduction velocity, greater lower limb muscle strength and vertical stiffness. There was also a strong correlation between lower limb muscle strength and nerve conduction velocity and vertical stiffness.