Research article summary (published 26 Jul 2007):

Muscle mechanical characteristics in fatigue and recovery from a marathon race in highly trained runners.

Full Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine muscle mechanical characteristics before and after a marathon race. Eight elite runners underwent a pre-test 1 week before the marathon and post-tests 30 min, two and five-day-post-marathon. Actual marathon race performance was 2:34:40 +/- 0:04:13. Energy expenditure at marathon pace (EE(Mpace)) was elevated 4% post-marathon (pre: 4,465 +/- 91 vs. post 4,638 +/- 91 J kg bodyweight(-1) km(-1), P < 0.05), but was lowered by 6 and 9.5% two- and five-day-post-marathon compared to EE(Mpace) pre-marathon. Countermovement jump (CMJ) power decreased 13% post-marathon (pre: 21.5 +/- 0.9 vs. post: 18.9 +/- 1.2 W kg(-1); P < 0.05) and remained depressed two- (18%) and five-day (12%) post-marathon. CMJ force was unaltered across all four tests occasions. Knee extensor and plantar flexor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) decreased from 176.6 +/- 9.5 to 136.7 +/- 16.8 Nm and 144.9 +/- 8.7 to 119.2 +/- 15.1 Nm post-marathon corresponding to 22 and 17%, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant changes were detected in evoked contractile parameters, except a 25% increase in force at 5 Hz, and low frequency fatigue was not observed. In conclusion, leg muscle power decreased acutely post-marathon race and recovered very slowly. The post-marathon increase in EE(Mpace) might be attributed to a reduction in stretch shortening cycle efficiency. Finally, since MVC was reduced after the marathon race without any marked changes in evoked muscle contractile properties, the strength fatigue experienced by the subjects in this study seems to be related to central rather than peripheral mechanisms.

Author information

Author/s: Petersen, Kim (K); Hansen, Claus Bugge (CB); Aagaard, Per (P); Madsen, Klavs (K);

Affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: European journal of applied physiology (Eur J Appl Physiol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Oct; vol 101 (issue 3) : pp 385-96

Dates: Created 2007/09/06; Completed 2008/01/15;

PMID: 17661071, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Humans Knee - physiology Leg - physiology Male Muscle Contraction - physiology

Muscle Fatigue - physiology Muscle Strength - physiology Muscle, Skeletal Physical Endurance Physical Fitness Running - physiology

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