TELEOANTICIPATION NOT INVOLVED WITH REPEATED SPRINT EXERCISES

Bishop, D. J., Mendez-Villanueva, A., & Calvo-Ruiz, P. (2006). Teleoanticipation does not occur during repeated-sprint exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2009.

"The theory of teleoanticipation proposes that muscle power output is modified by a “central governor” that takes into account projected “finishing points” and afferent feedback from the muscle. It has been suggested that this allows the selection of an optimum pacing strategy that will allow completion of the task in the most efficient way while maintaining internal homeostasis and a metabolic and physiological reserve capacity. While teleoanticipation has been proposed to occur during all forms of exercise, it has not previously been investigated during repeated-sprint exercise."

This study investigated the effects of varying the anticipated number of all-out sprints on repeated-sprint performance. Young men and women (N = 6) completed in a random order two trials of two sets of three, 4-s cycling sprints (separated by 20-s passive recovery intervals). In one trial, Ss were deceived and told that they would be performing two sets of six, 4-s cycling sprints. In the second trial, there was no deception. Between each set of three sprints, Ss rested passively for 180 seconds. EMG activity from the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris of the right leg was recorded. A maximum voluntary contraction was performed on a specially manufactured cycle ergometer pre- and immediately post-exercise.

There was no significant difference in total work performed between the two conditions in either the first or second set. Similarly, there was no significant difference in work decrement across the three sprints between the two conditions in either the first or second set. There was a parallel fall in muscle power output and IEMG activity during both conditions with no significant difference between conditions.

Implication. Fatigue during maximal, repeated-sprint exercise is associated with centrally-mediated changes. However, this fatigue was not influenced by perception of the end point of the exercise bout. The theory of teleoanticipation was not supported.

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