Quadriceps Function and Athletic Performance in Highly Trained Female Athletes

Abstract

Context: Quadriceps strength is considered a key contributor to performance in various athletic tasks. Yet, past research has reported conflicting results based on population, with little data available in highly trained female athletes. Design: Cross-sectional. Method: To examine how athletic performance relates to quadriceps strength and neural function, we measured the quadriceps maximum voluntary isometric contraction force (MVIC) and rate of force development over 0 to 50 ms (rate of force development [RFD]0−50ms), and various performance measures in 34 highly trained female athletes. Results: Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the quadriceps variables explained 16 of 21 performance variables (R2 = .08–.36, P ≤ .10). Squat performance related to RFD0−50ms alone (R2 = .17–.20, P < .05; βRFD = 0.41 to 0.45, P < .05) but only MVIC explained the variance in sprinting and vertical jump performance (R2 = .08–.34, P ≤ .10; βMVIC = −0.51 to 0.58, P ≤ .10). The broad jump model included both parameters and their interaction (R2 = .20, P = .08; βRFD = 0.06, P = .76; βMVIC = −0.39, P = .03; βRFD×MVIC = −0.24, P = .10). Conclusion: The contribution of the quadriceps MVIC or RFD0–50ms varies in size and nature depending on the task or leg dominance. While quadriceps are significant contributors to performance, because our models leave most of the variance in performance unexplained, rehabilitation and performance professionals should refrain from interpreting peak athletic performance as a reflection of knee-extensors function in highly trained female athletes.

Effects of 8-Week Exhausting Deep Knee Flexion Flywheel Training on Persistent Quadriceps Weakness in Well-Trained Athletes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…Participants sat on a custom-made leg extension chair used previously [ 9 ], with hips flexed at approximately 70° (0°: trunk and femur aligned) and 90° of knee flexion. The leg was strapped to a force transducer (TSA-110, Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd., Niigata City, Japan), with the hips and chest belted to the seat.…”

“…Consequently, patients are confronted with knee extension deficit, abnormal gait, quadriceps atrophy, poor knee function, dynamic instability, persistent knee pain, or early onset of osteoarthritis [ 1 , 2 ]. Furthermore in athletes, good quadriceps maximum strength, rate of force development (RFD), and activation level also contribute to safe and efficient landing and jumping performance [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. However, few established treatments are currently available.…”