Abstract
Introduction
One of the sites that can be affected by motor training is the primary motor cortex (1,2,3), but sometimes learning a movement is only the beginning of a training regime. The effect of resistance training on corticospinal function is still unclear, and previous studies have often focused on minor distal muscles (4,5,6). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate which of two commonly used resistance-training regimes, explosive and non-explosive, yielded the largest cortical representations in vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF).
Methods
Eighteen participants were recruited and divided into two groups based on their training experience (explosive and non-explosive resistance trained). The participants had a minimum of two years of experience with either weightlifting (snatch and clean and jerk) or conventional resistance training. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used for mapping motor cortical representations (MAP) of VL and BF in an active state (~5-10% of a squat). The stimulation intensity used was slightly above active motor threshold (~105%).
Results
The MAP area for VL was significantly larger for the explosively trained than for the resistance trained (8448 ± 6121 μV and 3350 ± 1920 μV, respectively, p= 0.04). There was no difference in MAP area for BF.
Discussion
The larger cortical map area for VL in the explosively trained group may be due to the training of their leg muscles being more structured and frequent (i.e., number of times the leg muscles are trained per week) than the training of the conventional resistance training group. It has previously been shown that it is the continuous learning of a skill, which facilitates an expansion of cortical representation, rather than simply muscle strength (7). Weightlifting is more complex and variable because of the explosive change in direction compared to conventional resistance training, thus the continuous learning phase may be longer for weightlifters.
One of the sites that can be affected by motor training is the primary motor cortex (1,2,3), but sometimes learning a movement is only the beginning of a training regime. The effect of resistance training on corticospinal function is still unclear, and previous studies have often focused on minor distal muscles (4,5,6). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate which of two commonly used resistance-training regimes, explosive and non-explosive, yielded the largest cortical representations in vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF).
Methods
Eighteen participants were recruited and divided into two groups based on their training experience (explosive and non-explosive resistance trained). The participants had a minimum of two years of experience with either weightlifting (snatch and clean and jerk) or conventional resistance training. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used for mapping motor cortical representations (MAP) of VL and BF in an active state (~5-10% of a squat). The stimulation intensity used was slightly above active motor threshold (~105%).
Results
The MAP area for VL was significantly larger for the explosively trained than for the resistance trained (8448 ± 6121 μV and 3350 ± 1920 μV, respectively, p= 0.04). There was no difference in MAP area for BF.
Discussion
The larger cortical map area for VL in the explosively trained group may be due to the training of their leg muscles being more structured and frequent (i.e., number of times the leg muscles are trained per week) than the training of the conventional resistance training group. It has previously been shown that it is the continuous learning of a skill, which facilitates an expansion of cortical representation, rather than simply muscle strength (7). Weightlifting is more complex and variable because of the explosive change in direction compared to conventional resistance training, thus the continuous learning phase may be longer for weightlifters.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Titel | Book of Abstracts, 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, ECSS, 5-8 July 2017, MetropolisRuhr, Germany |
| Forlag | European College of Sport Science |
| Publikationsdato | 2017 |
| Sider | 466 |
| ISBN (Trykt) | 978-3-9818414-0-4 |
| Status | Udgivet - 2017 |
| Begivenhed | 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, ECSS - MetropolisRuhr, Tyskland Varighed: 5 jul. 2017 → 8 jul. 2017 |
Konference
| Konference | 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, ECSS |
|---|---|
| Land/Område | Tyskland |
| By | MetropolisRuhr |
| Periode | 05/07/2017 → 08/07/2017 |