Neuromuscular Adaptations to Short-Term High-Intensity Interval Training in Female Ice-Hockey Players

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) related neuromuscular adaptations, changes in force production and on-ice performance were investigated in female ice-hockey players during pre-season. Fourteen Finnish championship level ice hockey players (average age 22 ± 3 years) participated in 2½-week HIIT. Both spinal (H-reflex) and supraspinal (V-wave) neuromuscular responses of the soleus muscle were recorded before and after the training period. Static jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) heights, plantar flexor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured. In addition, soleus and tibialis anterior muscles activations (electromyography; EMG) were measured during MVC and RFD tests. During on-ice training, skating speed and acceleration tests were performed. Subjects significantly improved their plantarflexion MVC force (11.6 ± 11.2%, p < 0.001), RFD (15.2 ± 15.9%, p < 0.01) and SJ (4.8 ± 7.6%, p < 0.05). Voluntary motor drive to the soleus muscle (V-wave amplitude) increased by 16.0 ± 15.4% (p < 0.01) and co-activation of tibialis anterior muscle during the plantar flexion RFD test was reduced by -18.9 ± 22.2% (p < 0.05). No change was observed in spinal α-motoneuron excitability (H-reflex) during MVC or in on-ice performance. These results indicate that HIIT can be used to improve athletes' capability to produce maximal and explosive forces, likely through enhanced voluntary activation of their muscles and reduced antagonist co-activation. Therefore, HIIT can be recommended in pre-season training to improve neuromuscular performance. However, a longer than 2½-week HIIT period is needed to improve on-ice performance in female ice-hockey players.

High Intensity Interval Training Leads to Greater Improvements in Acute Heart Rate Recovery and Anaerobic Power as High Volume Low Intensity Training

“…Shortcomings in the study of Kinnunen et al ( 2017 ) were the missing transfer of the results to increased sport specific performance (e.g., faster skating times on ice). Compared to the current study, in the study by Kinnunen et al ( 2017 ) a shorter training period (2.5 vs. 9 weeks) and shorter HIIT bouts (30 s vs. 4 min) were applied. The question remains which training period durations using different training regimes (e.g., HIIT protocols) are necessary for these improvements.…”

“…Furthermore, close relationships between running performance from distances of 400–5,000 m with performance in the MART and short-duration sprint performance over 20–30 m were found in numerous studies (e.g., Rusko et al, 1993 ; Nummela et al, 1996 , 2006 , 2007 ; Paavolainen et al, 1999a , c ). In this context, neuromuscular adaptations using HIIT in ice hockey players, improved the general muscle activation as demonstrated in increased force and rate of force development in an isolated plantar flexion (Kinnunen et al, 2017 ). Shortcomings in the study of Kinnunen et al ( 2017 ) were the missing transfer of the results to increased sport specific performance (e.g., faster skating times on ice).…”

“…In this context, neuromuscular adaptations using HIIT in ice hockey players, improved the general muscle activation as demonstrated in increased force and rate of force development in an isolated plantar flexion (Kinnunen et al, 2017 ). Shortcomings in the study of Kinnunen et al ( 2017 ) were the missing transfer of the results to increased sport specific performance (e.g., faster skating times on ice). Compared to the current study, in the study by Kinnunen et al ( 2017 ) a shorter training period (2.5 vs. 9 weeks) and shorter HIIT bouts (30 s vs. 4 min) were applied.…”

Effort and duration matched ‘High Intensity Interval Training’ using cycle ergometry compared to leg press resistance training

“…Indeed, both high effort resistance training (Nuzzo et al, 2017) and 'cardio' based high intensity interval training (Kinnunen et al, 2019) have been shown to strength likely due to neurmuscular adaptations.…”

Effects of military basic training on VO2max, body composition, muscle strength and neural responses in conscripts of different aerobic condition

“…Therefore, the explanation for poor force development seems to be a lack of strength training during BT, which is also supported by unchanged V-wave responses. V-wave measures neural drive from central sources and different forms of strength training have been shown to improve this response [1,7,32]. However, it should be mentioned that FFM was decreased in LF, which was not observed in GF.…”