Plyometric training as an intervention to correct altered neuromotor control during running after cycling in triathletes: a preliminary randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Altered neuromotor control during running after cycling has been associated with exercise-related leg pain and may have performance implications for triathletes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of adding plyometric training to regular endurance training on triathletes' neuromotor control and running economy in those in which it is aberrant.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Institutional.

PARTICIPANTS

15 moderately-trained triathletes.

INTERVENTIONS: Eight-week endurance only (control group) or endurance plus plyometric (plyometric group) training program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neuromotor control and running economy during running after cycling.

RESULTS

Eight of the fifteen triathletes exhibited aberrant neuromotor control and were randomised to control or plyometric groups. Combined plyometric and endurance training produced favourable neuromotor adaptations during running after cycling beyond that of endurance training at 8 weeks (numbers needed to treat 2). There were significant differences between control and plyometric groups at eight weeks for the coefficient of multiple correlation (p=0.03) and root mean square error (p = 0.01) between control and transition runs. Running economy was not different between groups at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide some support for the utility of plyometrics as an intervention to correct altered neuromotor control in those triathletes in which it is aberrant.