Relationships between Lower Limb Muscle Characteristics and Force–Velocity Profiles Derived during Sprinting and Jumping

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the relationships between lower limb muscle characteristics and mechanical variables derived from the vertical (jumping) and horizontal (sprinting) forcevelocity-power (FVP) profiles. Methods: Nineteen subelite male rugby league players performed a series of squat jumps and linear 30-m sprints to derive the vertical and horizontal FVP profiles, respectively. The theoretical maximal force (F 0 ), velocity (V 0 ), and power (P max ) were derived from both the vertical (i.e., vF 0 , vV 0 , and vP max ) and the horizontal (i.e., hF 0 , hV 0 , and hP max ) FVP profiles. Vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris long head, and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis muscle fascicle length, pennation angle, and thickness were measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to calculate volumes of major lower limb muscles, whereas proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to quantify the carnosine content of the GM to estimate muscle fiber typology. Results: Variation in vP max was best explained by GM muscle fiber typology (i.e., greater estimated proportion of Type II fibers) and VL volume (adjusted r 2 = 0.440, P = 0.006), whereas adductor and vastus medialis volume and GM muscle fiber typology explained the most variation in hP max (adjusted r 2 = 0.634, P = 0.032). Rectus femoris and VL volume explained variation in vF 0 (r 2 = 0.430, P = 0.008), whereas adductor and vastus medialis volume explained variation in hF 0 (r 2 = 0.432, P = 0.007). Variations in vV 0 and hV 0 were best explained by GM muscle fiber typology (adjusted r 2 = 0.580, P < 0.001) and GM muscle fiber typology and biceps femoris short head volume (adjusted r 2 = 0.590, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Muscle fiber typology and muscle volume are strong determinants of maximal muscle power in jumping and sprinting by influencing the velocity-and force-oriented mechanical variables.

Risk Factors for Femoral Cortical Button Malposition in Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…It has been reported that maximal muscle power in jumping and sprinting are positively correlated with lower limb muscle volume, especially the vastus medialis muscle. 2 In general, muscle thickness in the distal medial femoris is larger in men than in women. 5 …”

“…It has been reported that maximal muscle power in jumping and sprinting are positively correlated with lower limb muscle volume, especially the vastus medialis muscle. 2 In general, muscle thickness in the distal medial femoris is larger in men than in women. 5 There was significant difference in the rate of button malposition according to the surgeon experience group (40.9% for low-volume vs 18.1% for medium-volume vs 10.2% for high-volume surgeons; P ¼ .003).…”

Sub-elite sprinters and rugby players possess different morphological characteristics of the individual hamstrings and quadriceps muscles

“…Hence, the repetition of high-velocity knee flexion movements during sprinting might induce preferential hypertrophy of ST in sprinters. Regarding the preferential hypertrophy of BFsh in sprinters, recent research reported that muscle volume of BFsh (together with fiber typology of gastrocnemius medialis) could explain ~59% of the theoretical maximal horizontal velocity derived from linear 30-m sprints [ 22 ]. This finding implies that BFsh greatly contributes to the generation of horizontal velocity during acceleration phase of sprint running (e.g., approximately 0–30 m).…”

“…This finding is inconsistent with our hypothesis that muscle size of RF is larger in sprinters than in rugby players. Recent research indicated that muscle volumes of RF and VL could explain ~43% of the theoretical maximal vertical force derived from jumping and suggest that muscle sizes of RF and VL significantly contribute to a generation of a vertical force at low angular velocity [ 22 ]. This finding allows us to speculate that the preferential hypertrophy of RF and VL in rugby players may be caused by competitive actions that require a generation of a large vertical force at low movement velocity rather than the actions that require a production of a large horizontal force at high movement velocity like sprint running.…”

The Relevance of Muscle Fiber Type to Physical Characteristics and Performance in Team-Sport Athletes

“…16,17 However, the MFT of team-sport athletes has received less attention. 18 Many team sports require athletes to produce maximal and/or near-maximal efforts including accelerating, sprinting, changing directions, which are interspersed with brief recovery or passive periods, often over an extended period of time (ie, matches that last >60 min). 19 Defining performance in most team sports is difficult (ie, technical and tactical considerations); however, superior athletic performance (ie, strength, speed, and endurance) are undoubtedly underpinning characteristics associated with successful performance.…”