Training optimization through the recording of neuromuscular variables

Neuromuscular variables are known to provide useful information to enhance training prescription and its monitoring has wide application for populations from high-level athletes to elderly people. Due to advances in technology, researchers, coaches and health practitioners have now at their disposal affordable methods that allow the stimulation and monitoring of important variables related to neuromuscular function. For example, new training methods are being developed due to the possibility of assessing velocity during resistance training exercises or power output during continuous activities, such as running and cycling. In addition, there is increasing attention in the possibility to stimulate the nervous system to induce acute and chronic adaptations in muscle function. This research topic aims to get a comprehensive understanding of the training application derived from different techniques used to stimulate the neuromuscular system or from the neuromuscular variables that can be recorded during regular training procedures.

A neuromuscular variable refers to any physiological or biomechanical characteristic that involves the interaction between the nervous system and the muscles to produce a change in the environment through the application of force. In this Research Topic we want to explore how the monitoring of different neuromuscular variables can be useful to optimize the training process, so that athletes and other populations can improve their physical fitness while minimizing the risk of injury. The goal is to implement more cost-effective training intervention guided by the information provided by different types of mechanical variables.

The scope of this Research Topic is to provide new insights into how different neuromuscular variables (force, velocity, acceleration, EMG, etc.) can be used to enhance the training prescription in different populations. The types of manuscripts that are expected to be received for this Research Topic are (I) intervention studies in which the training variables (intensity, volume, etc.) are prescribed from mechanical recordings or the neuromuscular system is stimulated (e.g., transcranial direct current stimulation), (II) crossover studies comparing the effect of different exercise protocols on neuromuscular performance and (III) studies exploring the reliability, validity and sensitivity of mechanical variables used to evaluate physical fitness. Review articles related to the same topics discussed above are also welcomed.