Maximum rate of force development is increased by antagonist conditioning contraction.

Nine subjects performed maximum contractions with the knee extensor muscles on an isokinetic device set at 4.36 rad/s. The knee extensions were preceded by isometric conditioning contractions of the antagonist knee flexor muscles. The conditioning contraction forces were 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the maximum isometric force. The purpose of the study was to determine 1) the effects of graded conditioning contractions with the knee flexor muscles on the maximum performance of the quadriceps femoris and 2) whether the effects of the conditioning contractions are similarly distributed to components of the quadriceps femoris. The increased initial quadriceps femoris activation levels associated with the conditioning contractions were similarly distributed to quadriceps femoris components. In contrast with previously published research on exercise performed at substantially lower knee extension velocities, the maximum knee extension force and the work performed were not affected by the conditioning contractions. However, the maximum rate of force development increased significantly (P < 0.05). The intensity of the knee flexor conditioning contractions likely influences agonist motor unit activation variables, but this influence may be related to the speed of the agonist contraction.