Neural Fatigue Neural fatigue can affect sprint performance by reducing voluntary force generating capacity(90). As fatigue manifests itself during a maximum 100 m sprint there is a slight decline in speed, especially in the later stages of the race, wncn corresponds to a decrease in stride rate(2, 92). Ross and colleagues(92) suggested that this reduction in stride rate is the result of neural fatigue, whereby motor unit recruitment patterns are altered and change the motor-unit firing rate During sprinting, such as the 100 m dash, there is a preferential recruitment of type Il (fast-twitch) muscle fibers, which are particularly susceptible to acute neural fatigue as a result of their short contraction times and high axial conduction velocities(74). As the 100m dash progresses, there is a progressive reduction in recruitment that probably occurs as a sult of a less-than-optimal output from the motor cortex(92). A 4.9%o to 8.7% reduction in muscle activation has been noted once maximum velocity has been achieved during a 100m dash. This reduction in recruitment may occur as a result of fatigue of the neuromuscular junction, a decreased firing rate, or a reduction in the recruitment of higher threshold motor units(type Ilb or Ilx)(92)Ross and colleagues(92) postulated that acute neural fatigue may decrease reflex sensitivity Even though it has yet to be demonstrated in response to sprint exercise, it is possible that large volumes of traumatic stretch shortening can reduce reflex sensitivity, which could reduce force output during running(92). This reduction in force output could impair sprint performance