Changes in Power Assessed By the Wingate Anaerobic Test Following Downhill Running

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 145 - 150
• Main Authors: Nottle, Carmel, Nosaka, Kazunori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2007
• ISSN: 1064-8011
• DOI: 10.1519/R-17425.

Few studies have examined the effects of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage on power despite power being a key performance variable in a number of sporting events. The aim of this study was to examine changes in anaerobic power (30-second Wingate Test), isometric strength of the knee extensors and flexors, muscle soreness, and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity following downhill running. Eight men performed a 40-minute downhill (-7%) run on a treadmill, and measurements were taken on 6 occasions (2 baseline and 0.5, 24, 72, and 120 hours postrun). A second group of men (n = 5) had the measurements taken on 6 occasions without downhill running and served as a control group. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant changes in any measures across time for the control group. Following downhill running, significant (p < 0.05) decreases in strength (0.5-24 hours), and significant increases in muscle soreness (0.5-72 hours) and plasma CK activity (0.5-120 hours) were observed. A significant decrease in peak and average power ( similar to 5%) was evident only 0.5 hours postrun, and the decrease was smaller in magnitude than that of strength ( similar to 15%). These results suggest that power is less affected than strength after eccentric exercise, and the effect of reduced power on sport performance seems negligible.