The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between somatotype, muscle torque and power output in judoists. Thirteen judoists (age 18.4±3.1 years, body height 178.6±8.2 cm, body mass 82.3±15.9 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method. Maximal muscle torques of elbow, shoulder, knee, hip and trunk flexors as well as extensors were measured under static conditions. Power outputs were measured in 5 maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts, 10 s each, at increasing external loads equal to 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5% of body weight. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between all parameters. The mean somatotype of judoists was: 3.5-5.9-1.8 (values for endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy, respectively). The values (mean±SD) of sum of muscle torque of ten muscle groups (TOTAL) was 3702.2±862.9 N x m. The power output ranged from 393.2±79.4 to 1077.2±275.4 W. The values of sum of muscle torque of right and left upper extremities (SUE), sum of muscle torque of right and left lower extremities (SLE), sum of muscle torque of the trunk (ST) and TOTAL were significantly correlated with the mesomorphic component (0.68, 0.80, 0.71 and 0.78, respectively). The ectomorphic component correlated significantly with values of SUE, SLE, ST and TOTAL (−0.69, −0.81, −0.71 and −0.79, respectively). Power output was also strongly correlated with both mesomorphy (positively) and ectomorphy (negatively). The results indicated that the values of mesomorphic and ectomorphic somatotype components influence muscle torque and power output, thus body build could be an important factor affecting results in judo.

Summary Study aim: The aim of the study was to examine biomechanical characteristics of taekwondo athletes comparing kicks and punches with laboratory tests of muscle strength and power. Material and methods: Six male taekwondo athletes participated in this study. Measurements of maximal punching with the rear hand (hook and straight punches) and kicking (Apdolio and Dwit Chagi) force were performed on a boxing dynamometer. Also, the following laboratory tests were performed: jump height and power output in counter movement jump (CMJ) and spike jump (SPJ), muscle strength for 10 muscle groups and force-velocity (F-v) relationship. Results: Mean maximal straight and hook punching forces were 1659.2 ± 254.2 N and 1843.8 ± 453.3 N, respectively. Maxi­mal Apdolio rear leg, Apdolio lead leg and Dwit Chagi rear leg kicking forces were 3541.3 ± 1130.3 N, 3205.3 ± 965.1 N and 3568.0 ± 1306.0 N, respectively. The heights of jumps were 0.501 ± 0.040 m (CMJ) and 0.554 ± 0.034 m (SPJ). A strong cor­relation between the maximal force of a punch and maximal joint torques was observed. Conclusions: The values of kicking forces developed in a simulated fight were lower than the forces developed in the test of individual kicks. Strong relationships were observed between leg power developed in the SPJ and force of individual Apdolio kicks performed with the lead (r = 0.87, p < 0.05) and rear leg (r = 0.74). Based on these findings, it was concluded that maxi­mal joint torques and height of the SPJ could be used as a proxy of kicking force.

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare female volleyball teams with different performance level and to identify the physiological characteristics that discriminate them. Methods Thirty-seven players (age 21.9 ± 4.8 years, mean ± standard deviation, body mass 66.3 ± 7.1 kg, stature 173.9 ± 7.3 cm) from teams A, B and C participating in the first, second and third Greek league, respectively, performed a series of anthropometric and physical fitness measures. Results Players of team A and B were taller than players of C [10.8 cm (4.7; 16.9), mean difference (95 % confidence intervals), and 7.4 cm (1.6; 13.3), respectively]. Players of A also had lower body fat [-5.8 % (-9.3; -2.3)] and higher fat-free mass than C [6.5 kg (1.8; 11.3)]. The mean somatotype of A was ectomorphic mesomorph, B was balanced endomorph and C was mesomorphic endomorph. Players of B jumped higher in squat jump, countermovement jump without and with arm-swing than their counterparts of C [4.9 cm (1.4; 8.5), 4.3 cm (0.3; 8.3) and 5.1 cm (0.9; 9.2), respectively]. Players of A scored better than those of C with regard to the strength of the right hand [5.9 kg (1.2; 10.6)] and the sum of both hands [10.2 kg (1.4; 19.1)]. Peak power in Wingate anaerobic test was better in team B than C [1.0 W kg -1 (0.0; 2.0)]. Team A and B scored higher in mean power either in absolute values [79 W (11; 147) and 77 W (10; 143), respectively] or in relative to body mass values [1.0 W kg -1 (0.1; 1.8) and 1.0 W kg -1 (0.2; 1.8), respectively] than team C. Conclusions These findings confirmed the importance of stature and jump ability for performance in volleyball. However, what is novel is that for the first time we identified differences in upper limbs' muscle strength and in lower limbs' muscle power among teams from different leagues, and based on these findings recommendations can be given on training goals and players' selection.

No abstract

These results suggest that the ACTN3 gene may play a significant role in determining muscle phenotypes. However, this gene is only one of many factors which could contribute to athletes' performance and muscle phenotypes.