Monitoring Neuromuscular Fatigue in Team-Sport Athletes Using a Cycle-Ergometer Test

Abstract

The cycle-ergometer sprint test described in this study offers a novel method of neuromuscular-fatigue monitoring in team-sport athletes and specifically quantifies the concentric component of the fatigue-induced decrement of force production in muscle, which may be overlooked by a CMJ test.

Changes in markers of fatigue following a competitive match in elite academy rugby union players

“…[3] Comparable findings have also been reported in other junior collision-sport athletes. For example, Wehbe et al [6] noted very likely substantial reductions in CMJ mean power for up to 24 h in under-18 Australian rules football players following an intra-club preseason match, although changes were unclear beyond this point. Johnston and colleagues [7] also observed likely substantial reductions in peak power immediately post-match and possible reductions at 24-and 48 h following two competitive matches in subelite youth rugby league players.…”

“…The literature examining postmatch fatigue in other junior collision sport athletes is also far less voluminous than in senior players. A likely substantial reduction in lower-body NMF, as measured by countermovement jump (CMJ) peak power, has been observed in elite under-18 Australian rules football players for up to 24 h following an intra-club preseason match [6] while in sub-elite youth rugby league players, reductions were reported as likely substantial immediately, and possibly substantial at 24 h and 48 h following two competitive matches. [7] Upper-body NMF, as measured by plyometric push-up peak power, has also shown very likely and likely substantial decreases at 24 h and 48 h respectively following two competitive sub-elite youth rugby league matches.…”

Changes in Adductor Strength After Competition in Academy Rugby Union Players

“…However, recent research has evaluated changes in global lower-limb neuromuscular function, via the vertical jump test, demonstrating significant reductions in the first 24-48 hours post-game in junior collision-sport athletes (18,32). Based on these findings, it has been recommended that activities that may compound these deficits, such as repeated high velocity movements be avoided during this period to facilitate recovery (23).…”

Inter-day reliability of a Wattbike cycle ergometer sprint protocol in male rugby players

“…Previous investigations have shown that maximal voluntary contraction-derived peak torque as well as peak torque at two different speeds are reduced by ~10%, 11,16 with each showing different time courses to baseline recovery. Vertical jump performance is also reduced by 5-20% 6,16 and cycle ergometer-derived peak power is reduced by ~5% 8 . Combined, these studies suggest that reliability, as a best-case scenario, should be <5% to confidently detect changes associated with fatigue after rugby match play.…”

“…6 Peak power output from cycle ergometer sprint tests has been used to quantify fatigue in team sports. 7,8 Protocols comprise short bouts (~3-10 s) of 'all-out' efforts to provide a measure of peak lower limb power that is independent of an imposed body mass load and does not involve eccentric loading of the musculature. Whilst such a measure is attractive to practitioners looking to minimize additional fatigue and risk of injury, the use of peak power alone might not provide a complete picture of the neuromuscular characteristics of an athlete.…”