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Neuromuscular Fatigue and Perceived Fatigability in the Hours Following a High‐Intensity Endurance Running Depend on the Exercise Protocol

Yago Medeiros Dutra, Paloma Tavares Mendonça, Stuart Goodall, Alessandro Moura Zagatto · European Journal of Sport Science · 2026

Twelve trained men ran about 8 km three different ways \u2014 longer bouts at threshold pace, or shorter bouts at 30% and 50% above it \u2014 and researchers tracked leg strength, muscle function, tiredness and leg pain for 6 hours afterwards. All protocols left voluntary force reduced for at least 6 hours, but the threshold-pace run caused the biggest drop in nervous-system drive to the quad, while the fastest 50%-above protocol caused the greatest loss of contractile function, rapid force production, and the most lingering leg pain and tiredness.
Takeaway: Schedule easier sessions or extra recovery after very fast interval running, since it leaves muscles and perceived fatigue impaired for many hours more than steadier threshold work.
Abstract (source)

ABSTRACT This study investigated neuromuscular fatigue and perceived fatigability across different high‐intensity endurance running protocols. Twelve males (mean ± SD; : 52.2 ± 6.9 mL/kg/min) ran ∼8.0 km: (i) at the velocity associated to the respiratory compensation point (vRCP; 5 × 8 min bouts ‒ RUN 100%RCP ); (ii) at 30% above vRCP (10 × 3 min bouts ‒ RUN 130%RCP ); and (iii) at 50% above vRCP (20 × 80 s bouts ‒ RUN 150%RCP ). Before and for 6 h post‐exercise, voluntary and evoked contractions of knee‐extensors were assessed, alongside tiredness, leg pain, and perceived recovery. Following all protocols, voluntary activation remained depressed for up to 4 h post‐exercise, while voluntary peak force was reduced for at least 6 h ( p 0.05). Aggregate data (protocol effect, p < 0.05) evidenced greater reduction in neural drive to vastus lateralis (RMS VL /Mw amp ) after RUN 100%RCP (−20%) compared to RUN 130%RCP (−3%) and RUN 150%RCP (−7%); and greater reduction in late rate of force development (RFD; 100–200 ms) and contractile function (Qtw pot ) after RUN 150%RCP (−18% and −8%, respectively) than RUN 100%RCP (−8% and −2%, respectively). Leg pain and tiredness remained elevated ( p < 0.05) for at least 6 h following all protocols. Leg pain and tiredness were greater for up to 4 h and for at least 6 h, respectively, after RUN 150%RCP than RUN 100%RCP (time × protocol interaction; p < 0.05). The choice of exercise protocol influences the extent of reduction in vastus lateralis neural drive, impairments in knee‐extensors contractile function, and perceived fatigability for hours following a high‐intensity endurance running.

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