scholarly journals Force-velocity relationship profile of elbow flexors in male gymnasts

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10907
Author(s):  
Miyuki Nakatani ◽  
Kensuke Murata ◽  
Hiroaki Kanehisa ◽  
Yohei Takai
Keyword(s):  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Elbow Flexors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Velocity Relationship ◽  
Force Velocity ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Flexion Force

Background The theoretical maximum force (F0), velocity (V0), and power (Pmax) of athletes calculated from the relationship between force and velocity (F-V relationship) and the slope of the F-V relationship, reflect their competitive and training activity profiles. Evaluating the F-V relationship of athletes facilitates categorizing the profiles of dynamic muscle functions in relation to long-term sport-specific training. For gymnastics, however, no studies have tried to examine the profiles of F-V relation and power output for upper limb muscles in relation to the muscularity, while the use of the upper extremities in this sport is very unique as described earlier. Purpose It was hypothesized that the F-V relationship of the elbow flexion in gymnasts might be characterized by low capacity for generating explosive force, notably in terms of the force normalized to muscle size. Methods The F0, V0, and Pmax derived from the force-velocity relationship during explosive elbow flexion against six different loads (unloaded condition, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximal voluntary isometric elbow flexion force (MVFEF)) for 16 gymnasts (GYM) and 22 judo athletes (JD). F0 and Pmax were expressed as values relative to the cross-sectional area index (CSAindex) of elbow flexors (F0/CSAindex and Pmax/CSAindex, respectively), which was calculated from muscle thickness in the anterior upper arm. The electromyogram (EMG) activities of the biceps brachii (BB) during the maximal isometric and dynamic tasks were also determined. Results There were no significant differences in CSAindex of elbow flexors between GYM and JD. MVFEF/CSAindex for GYM was significantly lower than that for JD. Force was linearly associated with velocity in the dynamic elbow flexion for all the participants (r =  − 0.997 to −0.905 for GYM, r =  − 0.998 to −0.840 for JD). F0, F0/ CSAindex, V0, Pmax, Pmax/CSAindex, and MVFEF were significantly lower in GYM than in JD. The activity levels of BB during the dynamic tasks tended to be lower in GYM than in JD at load of <45%MVC. Conclusion Gymnasts cannot generate explosive elbow flexion force corresponding to their muscle size. This may be due to low neuromuscular activities during the maximal dynamic tasks against relatively low loads.

Adaptations in the elbow flexors of elderly males after heavy-resistance training

1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 750-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Roman ◽  
J. Fleckenstein ◽  
J. Stray-Gundersen ◽  
S. E. Alway ◽  
R. Peshock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Volume ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Elbow Flexors ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Elderly Males ◽  
Heavy Resistance Training

The structural and functional characteristics of the elbow flexors in five elderly males were studied before and after 12 wk of heavy-resistance training. Muscle volume and cross-sectional area of two of the elbow flexor (biceps brachii and brachialis) muscles were determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Mean muscle fiber area, percent fiber distribution, and collagen and noncontractile tissue densities were determined on histological sections from needle biopsies. Isokinetic strength of the elbow flexors was measured at velocities between 60 and 300 degrees/s. Muscle volume and cross-sectional area of the biceps brachii and brachialis significantly increased by 13.9 and 22.6%, respectively, after the training program. A preferential hypertrophy of type II fibers (37.2%) was observed. Significant increases in peak torque were observed at all the tested velocities. The amount of work a subject could perform during a 25-repetition test at 240 degrees/s increased by 41% after training. These results demonstrate that the skeletal muscles of elderly individuals can adapt to heavy-resistance exercise and do so by increases in both muscle size and strength.

Training-induced alterations of the in vivo force-velocity relationship of human muscle

1981 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 750-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. Caiozzo ◽  
J. J. Perrine ◽  
V. R. Edgerton
Keyword(s):  
Training Group ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Velocity Relationship ◽  
Slow Velocity ◽  
Group A ◽  
Force Velocity ◽  
Group B ◽  
Relationship Of

Seventeen male and female subjects (ages 20–38 yr) were tested pre- and posttraining for maximal knee extension torque at seven specific velocities (0, 0.84, 1.68, 2.51, 3.35, 4.19, and 5.03 rad . s-1) with an isokinetic dynamometer. Maximal knee extension torques were recorded at a specific joint angle (0.52 rad below the horizontal plane) for all test speeds. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: group A, control, n = 7; group B, training at 1.68 rad . s-1, n = 5; or group C, training at 4.19 rad . s-1, n = 5. Subjects trained the knee extensors by performing two sets of 10 single maximal voluntary efforts three times a week for 4 wk. Before training, each training group exhibited a leveling-off of muscular tension in the slow velocity-high force region of the in vivo force-velocity relationship. Training at 1.68 rad . s-1 resulted in significant (P less than 0.05) improvements at all velocities except for 5.03 rad . s-1 and markedly affected the leveling-off in the slow velocity-high force region. Training at 4.19 rad . s-1 did not affect the leveling-off phenomenon but brought about significant improvements (P less than 0.05) at velocities of 2.51, 3.35, and 4.19 rad . s-1. The changes seen in the leveling-off phenomenon suggest that training at 1.68 rad . s-1 might have brought about an enhancement of motoneuron activation.

Force-velocity relationship of expiratory muscles in normal subjects

1982 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 930-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kikuchi ◽  
H. Sasaki ◽  
K. Sekizawa ◽  
K. Aihara ◽  
T. Takishima
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Muscles ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Contractile Element ◽  
Shortening Velocity ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Velocity Relationship ◽  
Force Velocity ◽  
Expiratory Muscles ◽  
Relationship Of

We examined the force-velocity relationship of the respiratory muscles in normal subjects under nearly isotonic conditions, taking into consideration the pleural pressure (Ppl) changes during maximum forced expirations (MFE). We used an electromagnetic valve (EMV) to select the Ppl value at the onset of mouth flow; and both a pressure reservoir and a variable resistance to control the Ppl changes after the opening of the EMV during MFE. To simulate isotonic conditions and to obtain the shortening velocity of the contractile element (CE), we mathematically corrected the velocity of the series elastic component (SEC), using a modified version of Hill's equation. Although the maximum tension at total lung capacity (TLC) [1,156 +/- 215 (SD) g/cm] was larger than that at functional residual capacity (FRC) (782 +/- 97 g/cm) there was no significant difference in the maximum shortening velocity, 3.4 +/- 1.0 and 3.2 +/- 0.8 circumference/s at TLC and FRC, respectively. The mean values of k (slope) for the SEC at TLC and FRC were 19 +/- 4 and 18 +/- 5 circumference-1, respectively, and they were not significantly different. We concluded that the force-velocity relationship of the expiratory muscles exhibited the same mechanical properties as that of the other skeletal muscles.

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