Acute Cardiometabolic Responses to Multi-Modal Integrative Neuromuscular Training in Children

Abstract

Integrative neuromuscular training (INT) has emerged as an effective strategy for improving health- and skill-related components of physical fitness, yet few studies have explored the cardiometabolic demands of this type of training in children. The aim of this study was to examine the acute cardiometabolic responses to a multi-modal INT protocol and to compare these responses to a bout of moderate-intensity treadmill (TM) walking in children. Participants (n = 14, age 10.7 ± 1.1 years) were tested for peak oxygen uptake (VO2) and peak heart rate (HR) on a maximal TM test and subsequently participated in two experimental conditions on nonconsecutive days: a 12-min INT protocol of six different exercises performed twice for 30 s with a 30 s rest interval between sets and exercises and a 12-min TM protocol of walking at 50% VO2peak. Throughout the INT protocol mean VO2 and HR increased significantly from 14.9 ± 3.6 mL∙kg−1∙min−1 (28.2% VO2 peak) to 34.0 ± 6.4 mL∙kg−1∙min−1 (64.3% VO2 peak) and from 121.1 ± 9.0 bpm (61.0% HR peak) to 183.5 ± 7.9 bpm (92.4% HR peak), respectively. While mean VO2 for the entire protocol did not differ between INT and TM, mean VO2 and HR during selected INT exercises and mean HR for the entire INT protocol were significantly higher than TM (all Ps ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest that INT can pose a moderate to vigorous cardiometabolic stimulus in children and selected INT exercises can be equal to or more metabolically challenging than TM walking.

Heart Rate Responses during Sport-Specific High-Intensity Circuit Exercise in Child Female Gymnasts

“…Thus, these findings provide evidence that cardiorespiratory stress is high during this type of high-intensity, sport-specific circuit training. Interestingly, a very recent study compared the acute effects of an integrative neuromuscular training program for 12 min (2 sets × 6 exercises × 30 s each with equal rest) on cardiometabolic responses of 10-11 year old children [15]. In that study, the increase of HR was lower than in the present study and HR ranged between 61% and 92% of HR max [15].…”

“…Interestingly, a very recent study compared the acute effects of an integrative neuromuscular training program for 12 min (2 sets × 6 exercises × 30 s each with equal rest) on cardiometabolic responses of 10-11 year old children [15]. In that study, the increase of HR was lower than in the present study and HR ranged between 61% and 92% of HR max [15]. Importantly, in that study, VO 2 during the 12 min exercise was increased from 28% to 64% VO 2max , suggesting that HR is indicative of oxygen uptake in this type of protocol.…”

“…This type of training is commonly used by coaches in many sports, such as gymnastics, and typically includes sport-specific exercises using body weight, which are executed in a circuit fashion, aiming to improve neuromuscular performance [14]. However, there is very limited information about the acute cardiorespiratory stress for this type of circuit training program, especially in child athletes who are systematically training from a very young age [15]. Artistic gymnastics is a popular sport that requires high levels of strength, power, flexibility, coordination and anaerobic power [14].…”

Effect of Integrative Neuromuscular Training for Injury Prevention and Sports Performance of Female Badminton Players

“…Alternating training methods may help alleviate the overtraining effect caused by repeated high-load activities. Previous studies have shown that integrative neuromuscular training has a positive effect on balance ability [ 58 – 60 ], speed capability [ 10 , 61 , 62 ], muscle strength, muscle endurance, and flexibility [ 63 ] of the practitioner. Strength, balance, and body coordination contribute to the development of participant's motor skills and physical fitness, which is essential for building a healthier life.…”

May the Force Be with Youth: Foundational Strength for Lifelong Development

“…Therefore, physical activity promotion efforts should include strength-building activities owing to its potent skill-building, performance-enhancing, and injury-reducing effects (3,57,74). An acute bout of resistance training that included body weight, medicine ball, and battling rope exercises resulted in an exercise intensity of 61% to 92% of maximum heart rate in healthy children (81). These findings suggest that well-designed resistance training programs can enhance neuromuscular fitness and contribute to the recommended 60 min or more of MVPA daily.…”