The Effect of Cycling-specific Vibration on Neuromuscular Performance

ola Kala shared this article with you from Inoreader The Effect of Cycling-specific Vibration on Neuromuscular Performance Μέσω Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise - Published Ahead-of-Print Purpose This study aims to provide an understanding of how surface-induced vibrations in cycling interfere with short-term neuromuscular performance. Methods The study was conducted as a cross-sectional single cohort trial. Thirty trained cyclists participated (mass 75.9 ± 8.9 kg, body height 1.82 ± 0.05 m, VO2max 63 ± 6.8 ml/min/kg). The experimental intervention included a systematic variation of the two independent variables, vibration (Vib: front dropout: 44 Hz, 4.1 mm; rear dropout: 38 Hz, 3.5 mm; NoVib) and cranking power (LOW: 137 ± 14 W; MED: 221 ± 18 W; HIGH: 331 ± 65 W) from individual low to submaximal intensity. Dependent variables were transmitted accelerations to the body, muscular activation (gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, triceps brachii, flexor carpi ulnaris, lumbar erector spinae), heart rate and oxygen consumption. Results The main findings show that the RMS of local accelerations increased with vibration at the lower extremities, the torso and the arms-shoulder system. The activation of gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus, triceps brachii and flexor carpi ulnaris increased significantly with vibration. The activation of vastus lateralis increased significantly with vibration only at HIGH cranking power. Oxygen consumption (+2.7%) and heart rate (+ 5 - 7%) increased significantly in the presence of vibration. Conclusions Vibration is a full-body phenomenon. However, the impact of vibration on propulsion is limited as the main propulsive muscles at the thigh are not majorly affected. The demands on the cardiopulmonary and respiratory system increased slightly in the presence of vibration. Corresponding author: Josef Viellehner, Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany, j.viellehner@dshs-koeln.de Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. provided funding for this study. None of the authors had any conflict of interest associated with the study. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by the American College of Sports Medicine. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. Accepted for Publication: 4 November 2020 © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.