Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Lower-Limb Muscle Strength and Power in Youth Gymnasts

Abstract

This study investigates the acute effects of different aerobic exercise intensities on lower-limb muscle strength and power in elite male youth gymnasts. Aerobic exercise is commonly included in gymnastics training to improve fitness and recovery, but performing aerobic exercise immediately before strength- and power-demanding activities may temporarily influence neuromuscular performance. Eighteen nationally certified male youth gymnasts aged 15 to 18 years participated in a randomized crossover trial. Each participant completed three treadmill-based aerobic exercise conditions on separate days: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and low-intensity steady-state exercise (LSD). Muscle strength and power were assessed before and 15 minutes after each exercise condition using validated force-platform tests, including vertical jumps and isometric strength assessment. The results of this study will help clarify how aerobic exercise intensity influences short-term strength and power performance in youth gymnasts and may inform evidence-based decisions on training sequencing and warm-up strategies in gymnastics practice.

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