Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Apr 15;91(Spec Issue):33-46.
doi: 10.5114/jhk/184168. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Do Activities Performed within the Intra-Contrast Rest Interval Affect Neuromuscular Performance during Complex-Contrast Training Protocols?

Daniel Gutiérrez-Flores  1 , Pedro E Alcaraz  1   2   3 , Patrick Cormier  4   5 , Antonio Martínez-Serrano  1   2   3 , Tomás T Freitas  1   2   3   6
Affiliations

Do Activities Performed within the Intra-Contrast Rest Interval Affect Neuromuscular Performance during Complex-Contrast Training Protocols?

Daniel Gutiérrez-Flores et al. J Hum Kinet. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of including different exercises within the intra-contrast rest interval (ICRI) of a complex-contrast training (CCT) session. Seventeen recreationally active males completed three different CCT protocols. Programs consisted of a contrast pair combining a moderate-intensity conditioning activity (i.e., a back squat) with a lower-body high-velocity exercise (i.e., a vertical jump) and only differed in the activities performed during the ICRI: 1) passive recovery (CCTPASS); 2) a mobility exercise (CCTMOB); and 3) an upper-body high-intensity strength exercise (i.e., a bench press) (CCTSTR). Countermovement jump and bench press throw metrics were evaluated at baseline and after each set during the workout. The rate of perceived exertion was recorded post-session. Non-significant differences in performance were found between CCTPASS, CCTMOB and CCTSTR throughout the session. Significant declines (p < 0.05) were observed for CMJ peak power in the last 2-3 repetitions of each set, irrespective of the protocol. CCTSTR was perceived as more intense than CCTPASS and CCTMOB (p < 0.05). From a neuromuscular performance perspective, including activities during the ICRI (mobility drills or high-intensity strength exercises) may be a suitable strategy to optimize CCT prescription since the acute responses were similar to those found with passive rest periods. Finally, prescribing a lower number of repetitions per set is recommended to attenuate mechanical performance impairment during CCT protocols, irrespective of the activities completed within the ICRI.

Keywords: athletic performance; kinetic analysis; mechanical power; neuromuscular; postactivation performance enhancement; range of motion.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the different CCT protocols.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Countermovement jump peak power output from every repetition of each set in CCTPASS (A), CCTMOB (B) and CCTSTR (C). * p ≤ 0.05; *** p ≤ 0.001
Figure 3
Figure 3
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) reported after each CCT protocol. * p ≤ 0.05; *** p ≤ 0.001
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Abdi, N., Hamedinia, M.R., Izanloo , Z., & Hedayatpour, N. (2019). The effect of linear and daily undulating periodized resistance training on the neuromuscular function and the maximal quadriceps strength. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 11, 45-53. 10.29359/BJHPA.11.1.05 - DOI
    1. Argus, C. K., Gill, N. D., & Keogh, J. W. L. (2012). Characterization of the differences in strength and power between different levels of competition in rugby union athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(10), 2698–2704. 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318241382a - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bauer, P., Uebellacker, F., Mitter, B., Aigner, A. J., Hasenoehrl, T., Ristl, R., Tschan, H., & Seitz, L. B. (2019). Combining higher-load and lower-load resistance training exercises: A systematic review and meta-analysis of findings from complex training studies. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22(7), 838–851. 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.01.006 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Biel, P., Ewertowska, P., Stastny, P., & Krzysztofik, M. (2023). Effects of Complex Training on Jumping and Change of Direction Performance, and Post-Activation Performance Enhancement Response in Basketball Players. Sports, 11(9), 9. 10.3390/sports11090181 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bishop, C., Turner, A., Jordan, M., Harry, J., Loturco, I., Lake, J., & Comfort, P. (2022). A framework to guide practitioners for selecting metrics During the countermovement and Drop jump tests. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 44(4), 95–103. 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000677 - DOI

LinkOut - more resources