Effect of Exhaustive Incremental Treadmill Effort on Force Generation Repeatability in Biathletes

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The authors examined how force generation repeatability changes as the result of incremental maximal test to volitional exhaustion by well-trained (VO₂/kg [mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹] 62.55 ± 5.27) individuals. 13 young biathletes (18.9 ± 1.7 years) performed isometric maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC) and submaximal targeted (98N) pushes against the force transducers by arms: elbow extension (EE), elbow flexion (EF) and legs: knee extensions (KE) in pre- and posttest conditions after incremental exhaustive test performed on treadmill. IMVC did not differ significantly between pre and posttest conditions for upper and statistically decrease in lower extremities measurements (p <.01). The mean force of 10 submaximal targeted force productions (F_mean; N) is similar for pre- and posttest measurements. Standard deviation of F_mean (Fsd; N) and coefficient variation (CV;%) decrease statistically in elbows flexion p <.02 but not extension. The reduction of force repetition accuracy in left knee extension was noticed (p <.01). The fatigue induced by incremental running test decreases a magnitude of force production variability in specifically trained muscle groups in biathletes.

Keywords:

• biathletes
• fatigue
• force repeatability
• incremental exercise
• isometric force