Muscle plasticity after weight and combined (weight + jump) training

Abstract

This study investigated how muscle performance and contractile properties are influenced by training programmes that use either resistance training alone or a combination of jumping with resistance training. Power and isometric force were increased in both training groups but only the combined training elicited an improvement in countermovement jump performance as shown by a greater activation of knee extensors during the transition from eccentric to concentric phases. The results suggest that stretch-shortening cycle characteristics cannot simply be explained by changes in muscular force or power. Toumi designed the protocol, assisted in data collection and wrote / edited the manuscript.