Author(s): MUÑOZ DE LA CRUZ, V., VALERO, F., GONZÁLEZ-MOHÍNO, F., ALDA-BLANCO, A., RODRÍGUEZ-BARBERO, S., GONZÁLEZ-RAVÉ, J.M., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF CASTILLA-LA MANCHA - TOLEDO CAMPUS: UNIVERSIDAD DE CASTILLA-LA MAN, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 1195

INTRODUCTION:
Trail running has emerged as a growing trend in endurance sports and has seen significant professionalization among many athletes (1). As with other endurance sports, neuromuscular factors play a crucial role in performance (2). However, most reviews in the scientific literature address physiological topics and injuries, leaving a gap in the knowledge regarding neuromuscular factors. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify which neuromuscular factors have been studied, the types of interventions that have been conducted, and the populations that have been analyzed.
METHODS:
A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Dimensions databases composing “trail running” AND “strength” OR “resistance” OR “neuromuscular” OR “lower limb” as keywords. Two reviewers screened the articles for eligibility according to the inclusion criteria. The articles that did not include trail athletes were excluded and PEDro scale was used to check article’s quality.
RESULTS:
Eighty-four records were retrieved during an initial search with a total of 38 finally included. Most of the studies had a pre-post design (44.73%), followed by cross-over studies (26.31%), comparative (10.53%), correlational (10.53%), and longitudinal case studies (7.89%). The main topic was to analyze the effect of different trail running distances, slopes, and sex on neuromuscular fatigue. Maximal voluntary and evoked contractions of lower limb muscles were measured in most of the studies (73.68%). Electromyography (21.05%), leg stiffness (15.79%), jump performance (13.16%), muscle soreness questionnaires (10.53%), and levels of creatine kinase (5.26%) were also evaluated. Moreover, fewer than half of the studies included female participants, and while some focused on amateur or high-level/elite athletes, the majority involved well-trained and experienced individuals.
CONCLUSION:
The effects of trail running fatigue on neuromuscular factors have been widely studied across different distances, sexes, and athletic levels. Similarly, the impact of neuromuscular and biomechanical factors on performance, although to a lesser extent, has also been examined. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of strength training on trail running performance, as well as a general need for further research involving female populations.
References
1. Scheer, V., Basset, P., Giovanelli, N., Vernillo, G., Millet, G. P., & Costa, R. J. S. (2020). Defining Off-road Running: A Position Statement from the Ultra Sports Science Foundation. Int j sport med, 41(5), 275–284.
2. Downhill Running: What Are The Effects and How Can We Adapt? A Narrative Review. Sports Med. 2020 Dec;50(12):2083-2110.