Interlimb Asymmetries Identified Using the Rate of Torque Development in Ballistic Contraction Targeting Submaximal Torques

Boccia, Gennaro; Brustio, Paolo Riccardo; Buttacchio, Giampiero; Calabrese, Marzia; Bruzzone, Marco; Casale, Roberto; Rainoldi, Alberto

doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01701

Cited by 19 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The use of the rate force development scaling factor (RFD-SF) to assess rapid force generation has been more frequently performed and reported after the protocol verification by Bellumori et al (2011) . Since then RFD-SF protocol has been used for isometric neuromuscular assessment of different muscle groups ( Casartelli et al, 2014 ; Djordjevic and Uygur, 2017 ), to explore the effects of aging ( Bellumori et al, 2013 ) and different diseases such as osteoarthritis ( Šarabon et al, 2020a ), and in studies exploring lateral asymmetries in different sports ( Boccia et al, 2018 ; Smajla et al, 2020 ). Moreover, some studies have shown that rate of force relaxation scaling factor (RFR-SF) can be assessed using the RFD-SF protocol with the aim to evaluate the ability of quick relaxation of submaximal muscle forces ( Mathern et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancements in the Protocol for Rate of Force Development/Relaxation Scaling Factor Evaluation

Smajla

Žitnik

Šarabon

2021

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Brief submaximal actions are important for wide range of functional movements. Until now, rate of force development and relaxation scaling factor (RFD-SF and RFR-SF) have been used for neuromuscular assessment using 100–120 isometric pulses which requires a high level of attention from the participant and may be influenced by physiological and/or psychological fatigue. All previous studies have been conducted on a smaller number of participants which calls into question the eligibility of some of the outcome measures reported to date. Our aims were: (1) to find the smallest number of rapid isometric force pulses at different force amplitudes is still valid and reliable for RFD-SF slope (kRFD–SF) and RFR-SF slope (kRFR–SF) calculation, (2) to introduce a new outcome measure – theoretical peak of rate of force development/relaxation (TPRFD and TPRFR) and (3) to investigate differences and associations between kRFD–SF and kRFR–SF. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of young healthy participants; 40 in the reliability study and 336 in the comparison/association study. We investigated the smallest number of rapid isometric pulses for knee extensors that still provides excellent reliability of the calculated kRFD–SF and kRFR–SF (ICC2,1 ≥ 0.95, CV < 5%). Our results showed excellent reliability of the reduced protocol when 36 pulses (nine for each of the four intensity ranges) were used for the calculations of kRFD–SF and kRFR–SF. We confirmed the negligibility of the y-intercepts and confirmed the reliability of the newly introduced TPRFD and TPRFR. Large negative associations were found between kRFD–SF and kRFR–SF (r = 0.502, p < 0.001), while comparison of the absolute values showed a significantly higher kRFD–SF (8.86 ± 1.0/s) compared to kRFR–SF (8.03 ± 1.3/s) (p < 0.001). The advantage of the reduced protocol (4 intensities × 9 pulses = 36 pulses) is the shorter assessment time and the reduction of possible influence of fatigue. In addition, the introduction of TPRFD and TPRFR as an outcome measure provides valuable information about the participant’s maximal theoretical RFD/RFR capacity. This can be useful for the assessment of maximal capacity in people with various impairments or pain problems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancements in the Protocol for Rate of Force Development/Relaxation Scaling Factor Evaluation

Smajla

Žitnik

Šarabon

2021

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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“…Our high r 2 values in both legs and muscle groups indicate that the time to reach peak torque does not variate, regardless of torque amplitude [19]. Potential differences in RTD-SF ability between legs have been investigated in only one study [5] for knee joint. They revealed 17.7% (knee flexors) and 17.4% (KE) of asymmetric young football players which is consistent with our results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…put high demands on rapid force/power production and control. RTD-SF could be useful method for identifying interlimb asymmetries as it was revealed that identifies more subjects with KE asymmetry (17.4%) compared to RTD (8.5%), maximal force (9.9%) and isokinetic (6%) [5]. As we already mentioned, RTD-SF protocol assesses neuromuscular ability to produce explosive joint torques over a wide range of submaximal intensities (not only maximal intensity).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Interlimb Asymmetries and Ipsilateral Associations of Plantar Flexors and Knee Extensors Rate-of-Force Development Scaling Factor

et al. 2020

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Rate of force/torque development scaling factor (RFD-SF/RTD-SF) was recently introduced as a tool to quantify the neuromuscular quickness, and it could have potential for interlimb asymmetry identification. Moreover, positive relationships in RFD-SF ability among different muscle groups were shown, but not in the lower extremity. The first aim of our study was to use RTD-SF for interlimb asymmetry identification. The second aim was to determine associations between plantar flexors (PF) and knee extensors (KE). Forty young healthy athletes (14.8 ± 1.2 years) performed explosive isometric contractions to a span of torque levels for PF and KE. From rapid isometric contractions, the RTD-SF and linearity (r2) of the regression line were calculated. Using RTD-SF we identified 10% (PF) and 15% (KE) of subjects with contralateral asymmetries (>15% criterion). The results revealed significant positive moderate correlation in RTD-SF between PF and KE (r = 0.401, p < 0.05). We supported that RTD-SF can be a useful tool for interlimb asymmetry identification. Future research about observed asymmetry in rapid submaximal contractions deserves more attention, as most of the functional sport specific activities put high demands on rapid force production. Our study as first confirmed positive associations in RTD-SF ability between muscle groups in lower limbs.

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“…To evaluate inter-limb differences for rapid force production during different submaximal exercises, the rate of force development scaling factor (RFD-SF) was proposed as a measure with higher ecological validity than the RFD (Boccia et al, 2018). In the RFD-SF protocol, the participant needs to perform rapid isometric contractions corresponding to different submaximal percentages of the previously assessed maximal force during MVC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantification of Inter-Limb Symmetries With Rate of Force Development and Relaxation Scaling Factor

2021

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The inter-limb (a)symmetries have been most often assessed with the tests that quantify the maximal muscle capacity. However, the rapid force production and relaxation during submaximal tasks is equally important for successful sports performance. This can be evaluated with an established rate of force development and relaxation scaling factor (RFD-SF/RFR-SF). The aims of our study were (1) to assess the intra-session reliability of shortened RFD-SF/RFR-SF protocol and its absolute and symmetry outcome measures, (2) to compare the main absolute RFD-SF/RFR-SF outcome measures (slopes of RFD-SF and RFR-SF: kRTD–SF and kRFR–SF, theoretical peak RFD/RFR: TPRFD and TPRFR) across gender and sports groups, and (3) to compare inter-limb symmetries across gender and sports groups for main outcome measures (kRFD–SF, kRFR–SF, TPRFD, and TPRFR). A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of young health participants (basketball and tennis players, and students): 30 in the reliability study and 248 in the comparison study. Our results showed good to excellent relative and excellent absolute reliability for the selected absolute and symmetry outcome measures (kRFD–SF, kRFR–SF, TPRFD, and TPRFR). We found significantly higher absolute values for kRFD–SF and TPRFD in males compared to females for the preferred (kRFD–SF: 9.1 ± 0.9 vs. 8.6 ± 0.9/s) and the non-preferred leg (kRFD–SF: 9.1 ± 0.9 vs. 8.5 ± 0.8/s), while there was no effect of sport. Significantly lower symmetry values for kRFR–SF (88.4 ± 8.6 vs. 90.4 ± 8.0%) and TPRFR (90.9 ± 6.8 vs. 92.5 ± 6.0%) were found in males compared to females. Moreover, tennis players had significantly higher symmetry values for kRFR–SF (91.1 ± 7.7%) and TPRFR (93.1 ± 6.0%) compared to basketball players (kRFR–SF: 88.4 ± 8.7% and TPRFR: 90.9 ± 6.7%) and students (kRFR–SF: 87.6 ± 8.7% and TPRFR: 90.5 ± 6.7%). Our results suggest that the reduced RFD-SF/RFR-SF protocol is a valuable and useful tool for inter-limb (a)symmetry evaluation. Differences in symmetry values in kRFR–SF and TPRFR (relaxation phase) were found between different sports groups. These may be explained by different mechanisms underlying the muscle contraction and relaxation. We suggest that muscle contraction and relaxation should be assessed for in-depth inter-limb symmetry investigation.

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Interlimb Asymmetries Identified Using the Rate of Torque Development in Ballistic Contraction Targeting Submaximal Torques

Cited by 19 publications

References 45 publications

Advancements in the Protocol for Rate of Force Development/Relaxation Scaling Factor Evaluation

Advancements in the Protocol for Rate of Force Development/Relaxation Scaling Factor Evaluation

Interlimb Asymmetries and Ipsilateral Associations of Plantar Flexors and Knee Extensors Rate-of-Force Development Scaling Factor

Quantification of Inter-Limb Symmetries With Rate of Force Development and Relaxation Scaling Factor

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