MULTIDISCIPLlNE TRAINING DEMANDS MAY IMPAIR ADAPTATION OF THE NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM IN TRIATHLETES

Abstract

Muscle recruitment during cycling is highly consistent and constrained in trained cyclists relative to novice cyclists (Chapman et aI., 2004). This is consistent with previous evidence that adaptation of the neuromuscular system occurs with repeated performance of a motor task. Muscle recruitment in triathletes has not been investigated. Triathletes undertake similar cycling training loads to specialist cyclists, but must also undertake very high running and swimming training loads. The influence of these multidiscipline training demands on muscle recruitment remains unknown. This study compared patterns of distal lower limb muscle recruitment during cycling in triathletes, trained cyclists and novice cyclists.