Physiological and neuromuscular responses in the shuttle

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare and analyze the performance in the
shuttle (RSS) and straight line (RSL) repeated sprint running and to compare the physiological
and neuromuscular responses obtained post-RSL and post-RSS.
Material and methods: Fourteen male futsal players performed 25 m sprints in a straight line
and with a change of direction. The sprint performances (mean time, best time and fatigue
index), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance were evaluated before and after both tests,
as well as measuring blood lactate concentrations (LACPEAK) after the sprints.
Results: The mean time (MT) and best time (BT) were lower in the RSL (P < 0.01), while the
fatigue index was lower in the RSS (P = 0.02). Significant correlations were found between MTRSL
and MTRSS (r = 0.79), as well as between BTRSL and BTRSS (r = 0.69). Significant differences in CMJ
performance were recorded between baseline and post-RSL (P = 0.01), as well as between baseline
and post-RSS (P = 0.02). No significant differences were found between CMJ performance
(P = 0.08) and LACPEAK (P = 0.09) and post-RSL and post-RSS.
Conclusions: It was concluded that, despite the differences in BT and MT in the two models of
repeated sprints, the MT in both tests correlated well, suggesting that repeated sprint ability
is a general quality and independent of changing direction. Moreover, both the glycolytic and
neuromuscular demand did not differ between the two sprints models.
© 2012 Consell Català de l’Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.
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