Acute Neuromuscular Responses and Interlimb Asymmetry Following 5 km and Half-Marathon Running in Recreational Runners.
- 1Faculty of Kinesiology Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
- 2Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Abstract
Acute neuromuscular responses to running may vary according to exercise duration and physiological demands. This study compared changes in vastus medialis contractile properties, quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and interlimb asymmetry following 5 km and half-marathon running trials. Twenty-eight male recreational runners (36.96 ± 11.35 years) completed both trials 10 days apart. Maximal radial displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), and contraction velocity (Vc) were assessed using tensiomyography, while quadriceps MVIC was assessed using isometric dynamometry before and after each trial. Absolute interlimb asymmetry and its direction were also analysed. The unadjusted analysis showed a greater pre-to-post increase in Dm following the half-marathon; however, the effect of the running trial on post-running Dm was not significant after adjustment for baseline Dm. Tc and MVIC decreased after both trials, whereas Vc increased, with no significant running trial × time interactions for these outcomes. TMG- and MVIC-derived absolute interlimb asymmetry remained unchanged. Acute post-running responses differed according to the neuromuscular characteristic assessed rather than consistently according to running distance. Changes in contractile properties and maximal force-generating capacity were not accompanied by a systematic increase in the magnitude of between-leg differences.
Related
- Are Asymmetry-Focused Training Interventions More Effective than General Programs in Reducing Interlimb Asymmetries and Improving Athletic Performance? A Systematic Review
- Effects of unilateral single-mode balance training compared to combined balance and plyometric training on soccer players’ interlimb asymmetry in static and dynamic balance performance
- Perceived exertion and regional thermal asymmetry responses following simulated match play in female handball players
- Acute Psychosis and Dissociative Syndrome Following Binge Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use: A Case Report
- Differentiation of the acute changes in the inter-limb strength asymmetry profile of the lower limbs between winners and defeated athletes following a simulated karate bout
BibTeX
@article{kuna2026acute,
title = {{Acute Neuromuscular Responses and Interlimb Asymmetry Following 5 km and Half-Marathon Running in Recreational Runners.}},
author = {Danijela Kuna and Petar Šušnjara and Klara Findrik},
journal = {Biology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/biology15191682},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883355},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Acute Neuromuscular Responses and Interlimb Asymmetry Following 5 km and Half-Marathon Running in Recreational Runners.
AU - Danijela Kuna
AU - Petar Šušnjara
AU - Klara Findrik
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/22
JO - Biology
DO - 10.3390/biology15191682
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883355
AB - Acute neuromuscular responses to running may vary according to exercise duration and physiological demands. This study compared changes in vastus medialis contractile properties, quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and interlimb asymmetry following 5 km and half-marathon running trials. Twenty-eight male recreational runners (36.96 ± 11.35 years) completed both trials 10 days apart. Maximal radial displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), and contraction velocity (Vc) were assessed using tensiomyography, while quadriceps MVIC was assessed using isometric dynamometry before and after each trial. Absolute interlimb asymmetry and its direction were also analysed. The unadjusted analysis showed a greater pre-to-post increase in Dm following the half-marathon; however, the effect of the running trial on post-running Dm was not significant after adjustment for baseline Dm. Tc and MVIC decreased after both trials, whereas Vc increased, with no significant running trial × time interactions for these outcomes. TMG- and MVIC-derived absolute interlimb asymmetry remained unchanged. Acute post-running responses differed according to the neuromuscular characteristic assessed rather than consistently according to running distance. Changes in contractile properties and maximal force-generating capacity were not accompanied by a systematic increase in the magnitude of between-leg differences.
SN - 2079-7737
ER -