INFLUENCE OF ATHLETIC TRAINING ON VERTICAL STIFFNESS ATTENUATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the stiffness differences between dancers, middle distance runners and recreational athletic populations under unfatigued and maximal effort tasks. A second aims was to evaluate the impact of athletic training in modulating stiffness under fatigued during maximal and sub-maximal tasks. A total of 18 participants between 18 and 30 years old were recruited for this study. All participants undertook pre- and post-fatigue vertical stiffness assessments through a discrete maximal and repetitive sub maximal counter movement jumps. Statistical tests revealed trends towards pre-existing unilateral vertical stiffness difference between maximal and sub-maximal populations. It is suggested that sub-maximal and maximal populations are able to attenuate stiffness under fatigued conditions due to training adaptations.