The effects of imagery training on fast isometric knee extensor torque development

Cornelis J. de Ruiter*, Vana Hutter, Chris Icke, Bart Groen, Anne Gemmink, Hiltsje Smilde, Arnold de Haan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

We hypothesized that imagery training would improve the fast onset of neuromuscular activation and thereby fast knee extensor isometric torque development. Forty young healthy participants, not involved in strength training, were assigned to one of four groups: physical training, imagery training, placebo training or control. The three training groups had three 15 min sessions per week for 4 weeks, with a 90° knee angle but were tested also at 120°. At 90° knee angle, maximal torque increased (∼8%) similarly in all three training groups. The torque–time integral (contractile impulse) over the first 40 ms after torque onset (TTI40) increased (P < 0.05) after physical training (by ∼100%), but only at 90°. This increase was significantly different from the delta values (change pre to post) in the control and placebo groups, whereas delta values in the imagery group were similar to those in the placebo group. The increases in TTI40 following physical training were related (r 2 = 0.81, P < 0.05) to significant increases of knee extensor rectified surface EMG at torque onset (EMG40). In conclusion, only physical training led to a knee angle specific increase of contractile impulse that was significantly different from placebo and controls and that was related to improved onset of neuromuscular activation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)166-174
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Sports Sciences
Volume30
Issue number2
Early online date25 Nov 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Contractile impulse
  • Mental training
  • Muscle
  • Neural activation
  • Torque

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