Neuromuscular Adaptations, Performance, and Monitoring of Endurance Training Within Moderate Domain Intensities

ABSTRACT: Guimarães, MP, Foresti, YF, Papoti, M, and de Azevedo, PHSM. Neuromuscular adaptations, performance, and monitoring of endurance training within moderate domain intensities. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study aims to find whether training at the upper limit of the moderate domain or below it (10-15%) differently affects neuromuscular and psychophysiological responses and performance. A total of 20 trained amateur runners participated in this 12-week study. In the first 4 weeks, subjects underwent familiarization with the tests and training. Then the subjects were divided into 2 groups (n = 10 per group, with 6 men and 4 women in each group): VL1 and <VL1, in which they were expected to train at the upper limit of the moderate domain and 10-15% below it for 6 weeks, respectively. The training was designed to be volume-equated between groups. Body composition, neuromuscular adaptations, and performance were evaluated, and the training and recovery sessions were monitored for psychophysiological factors. The groups showed no significant differences in neuromuscular and performance variables, although they improved from the pre- to post-intervention periods, except for D', which worsened in both groups. The psychophysiological variables differed between the groups at some times, being higher for the VL1 but within acceptable limits. Training at the upper limit of the moderate domain or 10-15% below it similarly improves trained amateur runners' neuromuscular variables and performance.