Hip Flexor and Knee Extensor Muscularity Are Associated With Sprint Performance in Sprint-Trained Preadolescent Boys

Abstract

These findings suggest that greater hip flexor and knee extensor muscularity in male preadolescent sprinters may help achieve superior sprint performance by potentially enhancing their moments, which may be induced by increased step frequency rather than step length during sprinting.

Relationship between the morphological and mechanical properties of muscle‐tendon units and sprint performance in prepubescent sprinters

“…However, Stafilidis and Arampatzis (2007) found no significant difference in the muscle thickness of the plantar flexors between superior and inferior adult sprinters. Furthermore, a recent study showed no significant correlation between the muscle size of plantar flexors and the sprint time; the authors suggested that, in prepubescent boys, the contribution of the size of the lower leg muscles to sprint performance is relatively low compared to that of the trunk or thigh muscles . Our results support these findings, an increased muscle size of the thigh results in improved sprint performance; however, the importance of the muscle size of the plantar flexors may be low in prepubescent sprinters.…”

“…Regarding muscle morphology in junior sprinters, only two studies have investigated the impact of the muscle size of the lower limb on the sprint performance (50 m sprint time or mean velocity for a 100 m race, respectively); both studies demonstrated that an increased muscle size of the quadriceps femoris is correlated with improved sprint performance. In the current study, we identified a similar relationship between the sprint time and muscle thickness of the VL (Figure ).…”

“…Thus, the contribution increased by 23%–27% more than that observed individually. Many previous studies have examined the influence of the mechanical and morphological properties of the MTU on sprinting ability . Only two studies measured the muscle morphology and the mechanical properties of the tendon structure; however, they did not attempt to clarify their association with sprint performance by multi‐regression analysis .…”

“…Sprinting is the competitive sport of running short distances; it is enjoyed by both adults and children at all levels of ability. Several previous studies have investigated the characteristics of superior junior sprinters and revealed that their sprinting ability was related to the morphological properties of muscles and sprint movement …”

“…Regarding muscle morphology in junior sprinters, only two studies have investigated the relationship between the muscle size of the lower limbs and sprint performance; these studies demonstrated that a greater cross‐sectional muscle area was associated with an improved sprint performance. However, the relationship between the mechanical properties of the tendon structure and sprint performance in children remains unclear.…”