Background: We were interested in examining the time-course of changes in quadriceps muscle contractile function and voluntary drive around a soccer specific warm-up, and how any changes contributed to measures of rate of force development as an experimental measure of muscle power. Moreover, considering the links between muscle temperature (Tm) and mechanisms of power output, we examined the effect of a `cool-down` period commensurate with that observed in the EPL prior to match-play on measures used. Finally, we tested whether a passive heating garment applied after the warm-up would have any effect on measures we performed. Methods: Ten amateur soccer players performed two experimental sessions that involved performance of a modified FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm-up, followed by a 12.5 minute rest period where participants were required to either wear normal clothing or a passive electrical heating garment was applied to the upper thigh muscles. Assessments around the warm-up and cool down included measures of maximal torque, rate of torque development, vastus lateralis muscle temperature (measured at a depth of 4cm), and electrically evoked measures of quadriceps contractile function and voluntary activation (10Hz and 100Hz doublet stimulation of the femoral nerve). Results: Tm was increased after the warm-up by 3.2 ± 0.7 °C (p<0.001). Voluntary and evoked rates of torque development increased after the warm-up between 20 to 30% (p<0.05), despite declines in both maximal voluntary torque and voluntary activation (p<0.05). Application of a passive heating garment in the cool-down period after the warm-up did not effect variables measured. While Tm was reduced by 1.4 ± 0.4°C after the rest period (p<0.001), this value was still higher than pre warm-up levels. Voluntary and evoked rate of torque development remained elevated from pre warm-up levels at the end of the cool-down (p<0.05). Conclusion: The soccer specific warm-up elevated muscle temperature by 3.2°C and was associated with concomitant increases of between 20 to 30% in voluntary rate of torque development, which seems explained by elevations in rate dependent measures of intrinsic muscle contractile function. Application of a passive heating garment did not attenuate declines in muscle temperature during a 12.5-minute rest period.
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Veröffentlicht von University of Vienna. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. / Übersetzt mit https://www.DeepL.com/Translator