Muscle morphology and jump performance: gender and intermuscular variability.
(2009)
Journal - The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness (Italy )
Abstract :
AIM: The present study aimed 1) to investigate the gender differences in jump performance and muscle architecture between men and women; and 2) to determine whether the differences in jump performance could be attributed to gender differences in the muscle architecture of the leg extensor muscles. METHODS:Sixty-two subjects volunteered for the study (34 women and 28 men): 19 club-level volleyball players, 20 physical education students, and 23 sedentary individuals. They performed trials of countermovement jumps (CMJ) and the muscle architecture of the vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and lateralis (GL) were analyzed at rest by ultrasonography. RESULTS: There were significant differences in jump performance between men and women (CMJ height: 0.388+/-0.056 m in men and 0.279+/-0.060 m in women, P<0.001). There were also significant gender differences in the VL muscle thickness, while the relative fascicle length was significantly different in the three muscles studied, with longer fascicles in the VL muscle in men and longer fascicles in the gastrocnemii in women. There were significant associations between the VL muscle size and jump performance (r=0.49-0.50, P<0.001), and non linear relationships between muscle size parameters and pennation angles (R2=0.67-0.77, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that there are gender differences in the muscle architecture of people with a wide physical activity background. The gender differences found in the VL muscle size partially explained the differences in jump performance.
Effects of dynamic resistance training on fascicle length and isometric strength.
(2006)
Journal - Journal of sports sciences (England )
Abstract :
The aims of this study were to assess changes in muscle architecture, isometric and dynamic strength of the leg extensor muscles, resulting from dynamic resistance training, and the relationships between strength and muscle architecture variables. The participants (n = 30) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The training group (n = 16; age 21.8 +/- 2.3 years, body mass 74.8 +/- 9.2 kg, height 1.75 +/- 0.08 m) performed dynamic resistance training for 13 weeks. The control group (n = 14; age 19.9 +/- 1.5 years, body mass 74.0 +/- 8.5 kg, height 1.76 +/- 0.05 m) did not perform any resistance training. Maximal dynamic and isometric strength were tested in both groups, before and after the training period. The members of the training group used the free-weight squat lift (90 degrees ) as their training exercise. The concentric phase of the squat was performed explosively. Skeletal muscle architecture of the vastus lateralis was visualized using ultrasonography. At the end of the study, significant increases in vastus lateralis muscle thickness (+6.9%, P < 0.001), fascicle length (+10.3%, P < 0.05), one-repetition maximum (+8.2%, P < 0.05), rate of force development (+23.8%, P < 0.05) and average force produced in the first 500 ms (+11.7%, P < 0.05) were seen only in the training group. Adaptations to the muscle architecture in the training group limited the loss of fibre force, and improved the capacity for developing higher velocities of contraction. The architectural changes in the training group were similar to those seen in studies where high-speed training was performed. In conclusion, dynamic resistance training with light loads leads to increases in muscle thickness and fascicle length, which might be related to a more efficient transmission of fibre force to the tendon.
| ISSN : | 0264-0414 |
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| Mesh Heading : | Adult Biomechanics Exercise Humans Isometric Contraction Male Physical Exertion Quadriceps Muscle anatomy & histology ultrasonography |
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| Mesh Heading Relevant : | physiology physiology physiology physiology |
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