Fatigue of the nervous system after performing a test of repeated sprint ability (RSA) in juvenile soccer players

Introduction and objectives: Several authors have studied the influence of exercise on the nervous system and cognitive performance in untrained subjects and different stimuli such as intense anaerobic exercise to exhaustion, and submaximal endurance exercises using the Flicker Fusion Threshold (UFF). The effect on the central nervous system stimulation in repeated sprints testing has not been studied. The aims of this work are study the changes in Flicker Fusion thresholds before and after a test of repeated sprints (RSA) in soccer players, to evaluate the fatigue of the central nervous system. Methods: We analysed 21 soccer players (18.1 +/- 1.0 years, 72.1 +/- 12.4 kg and 175.3 +/- 6.2 cm). Each player completed the RSA test (7x30 m sprints with 20 seconds rest between each sprint). We analysed UFF, ascending (UFFa), descending (UFFd) and classical (UFFc), the subjective criterion (CS) and sensory sensitivity (SS), before and after the RSA test. Each subject performed the UFF test three times and an average value obtained. Results: The results show how the values increased after the test: CS 77.8%, SS 2.6%, UFFc 77.8%, UFFd 1.3% and UFFa 4.0%, although none significantly (P <.05). Conclusions: With these results we conclude that the RSA does not generate fatigue in the central nervous system measured by Flicker Fusion Threshold. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. on behalf of Consell Catala de l'Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya.