Triceps Brachii Muscle Strength and Architectural Adaptations with Resistance Training Exercises at Short or Long Fascicle Length

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to investigate whether resistance training at short or long triceps brachii fascicle length induces different muscular strength and architectural adaptations. Nine young, novice, female participants, were trained for 6 weeks (two sessions/week) performing 6 sets × 6-RM (repetition maximum) unilateral cable exercises either with push-downs at short fascicle length (S) or overhead extensions with the contralateral arm at long fascicle length (L) of triceps brachii. Before and after training, 1-RM elbow extension and triceps brachii muscle architecture were evaluated. Muscle architecture was analyzed at 50% and 60% of the upper-arm length. Two-dimensional longitudinal muscle area of the triceps long head was also analyzed. The results indicated that 1-RM increased 40.1 ± 21.3% and 44.5 ± 20.1% (p < 0.01) after S and L, respectively. Muscle thickness at 50% length was increased 10.7 ± 15.3% (p < 0.05) and 13.7 ± 9.0% (p < 0.01) after S and L, while at 60% it was increased 15.5 ± 18.8% (p < 0.05) and 19.4 ± 16.3% (p < 0.01), respectively. Longitudinal muscle area increased similarly after S and L (p < 0.01). Fascicle angle and length were not altered with training. These results indicate that muscle strength and architecture of elbow extensors adapt similarly during the first six weeks of resistance training at either long or short fascicle length.

Effectiveness of combining microcurrent with resistance training in trained males

“…This was done to increase the reliability of repeated measures. To avoid osmotic fluid shifts (muscle swelling) which may distort measurements of angle and thickness (Stasinaki et al 2018), images were obtained at least 48 h after the last training session and prior to the maximal strength tests. The intra-rater reliability of muscle thickness and angle of pennation measurements performed by a single trained investigator on the same scans in a preparatory study was excellent (> 0.99).…”

The Importance of Lean Body Mass for the Rate of Force Development in Taekwondo Athletes and Track and Field Throwers

“…Images were analysed for muscle thickness, fascicle angle, and fascicle length with image analysis software (Motic Images Plus 2.0, Motic, Hong Kong, China). Muscle thickness was defined as the mean of the distances between the superficial and deep aponeurosis measured at the ends of each panoramic image [ 26 , 27 ], fascicle angle as the angle of insertion of muscle fascicles into the deep aponeurosis, and fascicle length as the fascicular path between the insertion of the fascicle into the upper and deeper aponeurosis. The reliability for the measurement of muscle thickness (ICC = 0.976 [95% CI: 0.954–0.988], p = 0.001), fascicle angle (ICC = 0.862 [95% CI: 0.746–0.928], p = 0.001), and fascicle length (ICC = 0.834 [95% CI: 0.700–0.911], p = 0.001) were determined on two consecutive days by the same investigator ( n = 36), during the pilot study.…”

“…Images were analysed for muscle thickness, fascicle angle, and fascicle length with image analysis software (Motic Images Plus 2.0, Motic, Hong Kong, China). Muscle thickness was defined as the mean of the distances between the superficial and deep aponeurosis measured at the ends of each panoramic image [26,27] …”

“…Fascicle length is thought to reflect the number of sarcomeres in series in a muscle and the increase in this number has been suggested to contribute to higher shortening velocity and muscle power [19]. Longer fascicles are typically found in agonist muscles of faster sprinters [20][21][22], while studies in humans have reported longitudinal muscle growth in response to power training [23][24][25][26][27]. Recently, a correlation was found between vastus lateralis fascicle length and late RFD (100-250 ms) in young aged track and field throwers [14].…”

Greater Hamstrings Muscle Hypertrophy but Similar Damage Protection after Training at Long versus Short Muscle Lengths

“…1 ). Some studies ( 11 – 13 ) reported that training-induced muscle hypertrophy was greater when trained at long versus short muscle lengths, but others ( 14 – 16 ) did not find a statistically significant difference. This discrepancy seems at least partly due to relatively small sample sizes ( n = 8–13 per condition) ( 11 – 16 ) and/or short intervention periods (6–8 wk) ( 11 – 14 , 16 ) of these studies.…”