The force-velocity relationship of maximal contractions with the handgrip muscles is established in a group of subjects. The effect of different muscle temperatures is studied. The parameters vo (maximal velocity), Fo (maximal force), Pmax (maximal power), a/Fo and H (both parameters describing the shape of the curve), and Ft/Fo (the value of the force at which power is maximal) are established. It is shown that 1) in repeated measurements the coefficient of variation in general is less than 10% for all the parameters except a/Fo; 2) the parameter a/Fo should be discarded in comparative measurements since it is not linearly related to the course of the curve. A parameter called H should be used instead to describe the curvature; 3) an increase in muscle temperature is accompanied by an increase in magnitude of all parameters except Fo. The temperature effect expressed as Q10 in the range 22-38 degrees C is in the order of 1.2.

No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of specific types of muscle training, performed by previously well-trained competitive athletes, on the force-velocity relationship of the arm flexors. Four rowers, five athletes competing in tug-of-war, and six middle- and long-distance runners were measured at different stages of their training program during the period of 1 training year. The runners performed no special arm training and were included for comparative purposes. A record was made of the type and intensity of training. The force-velocity curve (FVC) was established by measuring the torques (M) and corresponding angular velocities (omega) of maximal arm flexions against different constant torques. Using Hill's equation: (M + a) (omega + b) = constant, a best fitting curve was calculated through the points of measurement. Two-way analysis of variance revealed only few statistically significant (P less than 0.05) changes in the parameters describing the course of the FVC. The results suggest that the force-velocity characteristics of muscle of previously well-trained sportsmen can hardly be influenced.

Twenty-nine boys about 16 years old were divided into a training group and a control group. The training group exercised the arm flexors in a static strength training program with 90% of the maximal static strength during 9 weeks, three times a week. Before and after the training period, the force-velocity relationship of the arm flexors was established. For this purpose the maximal speed of flexion against different but constant loads was measured. A best fitting curve was computed according to Hill's equation: (F+a) (v+b) = C. The mean maximal static strength of the training group increased from 238 N to 270 N. No change occurred in the maximal speed at low forces but the speed increased at high forces. This resulted in a more concave course of the F-v curve. Maximal power did not change significantly. No significant changes were observed in the control group.

Oxygen consumption was determined for subjects cycling on a hometrainer roller with a racing bicycle. In part of the experiments the bicycle was supplied with an air-resistance simulator. The relation between oxygen consumption and velocity of cycling on the roller is linear: similar to that during bicycle ergometry. The relation is almost the same as during bicycling outdoors on a touring bicycle when the simulator is used while cycling on the roller. Cycling with the simulator only on the bicycle on a support is comparable to cycling outdoors on a racing bicycle. It is concluded that the use of a roller and an air-resistance simulator can be used for ergometry and training.