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  • Title: The time course of different neuromuscular adaptations to short-term downhill running training and their specific relationships with strength gains.
    Author: Bontemps B, Gruet M, Louis J, Owens DJ, Miríc S, Erskine RM, Vercruyssen F.
    Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol; 2022 Apr; 122(4):1071-1084. PubMed ID: 35182181.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: Due to its eccentric nature, downhill running (DR) training has been suggested to promote strength gains through neuromuscular adaptations. However, it is unknown whether short-term chronic DR can elicit such adaptations. METHODS: Twelve untrained, young, healthy adults (5 women, 7 men) took part in 4 weeks' DR, comprising 10 sessions, with running speed equivalent to 60-65% maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2max, assessed at weeks 0 and 4). Isometric and isokinetic knee-extensor maximal voluntary torque (MVT), vastus lateralis (VL) muscle morphology/architecture (anatomical cross-sectional area, ACSA; physiological CSA, PCSA; volume; fascicle length, Lf; pennation angle, PA) and neuromuscular activation (VL EMG) were assessed at weeks 0, 2 and 4. RESULTS: MVT increased by 9.7-15.2% after 4 weeks (p < 0.01). VL EMG during isometric MVT increased by 35.6 ± 46.1% after 4 weeks (p < 0.05) and correlated with changes in isometric MVT after 2 weeks (r = 0.86, p = 0.001). VL ACSA (+2.9 ± 2.7% and +7.1 ± 3.5%) and volume (+2.5 ± 2.5% and +6.6 ± 3.2%) increased after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively (p < 0.05). PCSA (+3.8 ± 3.3%), PA (+5.8 ± 3.8%) and Lf (+2.7 ± 2.2%) increased after 4 weeks (p < 0.01). Changes in VL volume (r = 0.67, p = 0.03) and PCSA (r = 0.71, p = 0.01) correlated with changes in concentric MVT from 2 to 4 weeks. [Formula: see text]O2max (49.4 ± 6.2 vs. 49.7 ± 6.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) did not change after 4 weeks (p = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Just 4 weeks' moderate-intensity DR promoted neuromuscular adaptations in young, healthy adults, typically observed after high-intensity eccentric resistance training. Neural adaptations appeared to contribute to most of the strength gains at 2 and 4 weeks, while muscle hypertrophy seemed to contribute to MVT changes from 2 to 4 weeks only.
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