Unique Characteristics of Quadriceps Muscle Morphology and Function in Older Tennis Players

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Akito Yoshiko ◽  
Moroe Beppu ◽  
Naoki Chosa ◽  
Kohei Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
Vastus Intermedius

We investigated the quadriceps muscle size and quantitative characteristics in older tennis players. Thirty-eight senior tennis players (70.8 ± 5.3 years) and 38 controls (71.6 ± 5.1 years) were included. To measure the muscle size and quality, we measured muscle thickness in the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius, and muscle echo intensity in the RF and vastus lateralis using B-mode transverse ultrasound, respectively. We measured knee extension peak torque for muscle function. Muscle thickness in the RF, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius were significantly larger in tennis players than in controls. Tennis players had a lower echo intensity in RF and a higher knee extension peak torque compared to controls. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis implied that echo intensity and muscle thickness were predictors of knee extension peak torque. Higher muscle quality contributes to a higher knee extension peak torque in tennis players. Playing tennis may prevent age-related muscle atrophy and maintain muscle quality in older individuals.

Can Hip Joint Position affect Quadriceps Muscle Responses during Knee Extension Exercise?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (13) ◽  
pp. 929-935
Author(s):  
Denis César Leite Vieira ◽  
Marco Aurélio Araujo Dourado ◽  
Lucas Ugliara ◽  
Joao Luiz Quagliotti Durigan ◽  
Brad J. Schoenfeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Work Output ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Knee Extension Exercise

AbstractThis study investigated the acute effects of seated and supine knee extension exercise on muscle swelling, torque, and work output. Twelve resistance-trained men performed two isokinetic concentric-only knee-extension training protocols at different hip positions in a counter-balanced order. They completed the knee extension exercise in the seated (hip angle at 85°) and supine (hip angle at 180°) positions. The torque and work output were assessed during each set. Moreover, muscle thickness of the middle and proximal vastus lateralis and rectus femoris were evaluated before and after each protocol and used as an indicator of muscle swelling. Middle rectus femoris and proximal vastus lateralis thickness increased significantly (p=0.01) with no difference between exercise variations. However, the middle vastus lateralis thickness increased (p=0.01) only after the seated knee extension exercise (~7%). Knee extensors’ peak torque and work output were approximately 8% higher (p=0.04) in the seated when compared to the supine hip position. There was a similar decrease in torque and work output throughout both protocols (p=0.98). In conclusion, seated knee extension exercises produced greater torque, work output, and muscle swelling in the vastus lateralis when compared to the supine knee extension exercise.

Ultrasound Imaging of the Vastus Intermedius and Vastus Medialis Oblique Thickness for Assessment of Early Torque Development During Knee Extension

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1557-1561
Author(s):  
Jaeho Yang ◽  
Yong Woo An ◽  
Eunwook Chang
Keyword(s):  
Isometric Contraction ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽  
Rate Of Torque Development ◽  
Vastus Intermedius ◽  
Torque Development

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between knee extension torque (rate of torque development and peak torque) and quadriceps muscle thickness in healthy males and females. Thirty-six recreationally active and healthy individuals participated in the study. Portable ultrasound was used to image the dominant side of each quadriceps muscle (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus medialis oblique). After muscle thickness measurement, participants performed knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Rate of torque development was calculated from 0 to 50 (RTD50) and 0 to 200 (RTD200) milliseconds after onset of torque generation and peak torque was defined as maximum torque during maximal voluntary isometric contraction trials. A higher RTD50 value was found to be associated with greater vastus intermedius and vastus medialis oblique thicknesses, and a higher RTD200 with the thickness of all quadriceps muscles (p < 0.05). Finally, vastus medialis and vastus medialis oblique thicknesses were associated with a higher peak torque (p < 0.05). According to these results, the findings suggest to coaches that vastus intermedius and vastus medialis oblique thicknesses are critical to torque development during the early phase of knee extension contraction (RTD50), which is essential for executing athletic tasks and preventing injuries.

Relationship of Quadriceps Muscle Thickness with Motor Paralysis and Muscle Echo Intensity in Post-Stroke Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 56-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Maeda ◽  
Ken Imada ◽  
Koji Ishida ◽  
Hiroshi Akima
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Quality Loss ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Paretic Limb ◽  
Motor Paralysis ◽  
Relationship Of

Introduction: Quadriceps muscle atrophy and quality loss, defined as an increased ratio of intramuscular fat and/or connective tissue, are often observed especially in the paretic limb of post-stroke patients. This study was performed to examine the relationship of quadriceps muscle thickness (MT) with muscle echo intensity (EI) and the severity of motor paralysis after stroke. Methods: Thirty-six hemiparetic subacute post-stroke patients were enrolled. We examined the MT (index of muscle quantity) and the EI (index of muscle quality) at the anterior mid-thigh in both limbs. We also assessed the Brunnstrom stage (BR stage), subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, time since stroke, age, body weight, sex, number of medications, and nutritional and inflammation status. Results: The MT in the paretic limb was explained by the BR stage (β = –0.26, p < 0.01), body weight (β = 0.68, p < 0.01), and serum albumin (β = 0.34, p < 0.01), with an adjusted R2 of 0.81. The MT in the non-paretic limb was explained by the muscle EI (β = –0.55, p < 0.01) and age (β = –0.40, p < 0.01), with an adjusted R2 of 0.69. The muscle EI was explained by the MT in the paretic limb (β = –0.34, p < 0.01) and non-paretic limb (β = –0.69, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that motor paralysis, aging, and malnutrition contribute to quadriceps atrophy in post-stroke patients. Moreover, a potential countermeasure to diminish muscle quality loss is maintenance of muscle quantity.

scholarly journals Declines in skeletal muscle quality vs. size following two weeks of knee joint immobilization

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob J. MacLennan ◽  
Michael Sahebi ◽  
Nathan Becker ◽  
Ethan Davis ◽  
Jeanette M. Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background Disuse of a muscle group, which occurs during bedrest, spaceflight, and limb immobilization, results in atrophy. It is unclear, however, if the magnitude of decline in skeletal muscle quality is similar to that for muscle size. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two weeks of knee joint immobilization on vastus lateralis and rectus femoris echo intensity and cross-sectional area. Methods Thirteen females (mean ± SD age = 21 ± 2 years) underwent two weeks of left knee joint immobilization via ambulating on crutches and use of a brace. B-mode ultrasonography was utilized to obtain transverse plane images of the immobilized and control vastus lateralis and rectus femoris at pretest and following immobilization. Effect size statistics and two-way repeated measures analyses of variance were used to interpret the data. Results No meaningful changes were demonstrated for the control limb and the rectus femoris of the immobilized limb. Analyses showed a large increase in vastus lateralis echo intensity (i.e., decreased muscle quality) for the immobilized limb (p = .006, Cohen’s d = .918). For vastus lateralis cross-sectional area, no time × limb interaction was observed (p = .103), but the effect size was moderate (d = .570). There was a significant association between the increase in vastus lateralis echo intensity and the decrease in cross-sectional area (r =  − .649, p = .016). Conclusion In female participants, two weeks of knee joint immobilization resulted in greater deterioration of muscle quality than muscle size. Echo intensity appears to be an attractive clinical tool for monitoring muscle quality during disuse.

Variability of regional quadriceps echo intensity in active young men with and without subcutaneous fat correction

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 745-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin J. Oranchuk ◽  
Matt S. Stock ◽  
André R. Nelson ◽  
Adam G. Storey ◽  
John B. Cronin
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Vastus Intermedius ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat Thickness ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Myotendinous Junctions

Quantifying echo intensity (EI), a proposed measure of muscle quality, is becoming increasingly popular. Additionally, much attention has been paid to regional differences in other ultrasonically evaluated measures of muscle morphology and architecture. However, the variability of regional (proximal, middle, distal) EI of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and lateral and anterior vastus intermedius has yet to be determined. Twenty participants (40 limbs), were evaluated on 3 occasions, separated by 7 days. Intersession variability of EI with and without subcutaneous fat correction was quantified. Furthermore, the interchangeability of corrected EI across regions was evaluated. Variability of regional quadriceps EI was substantially lower with subcutaneous fat correction (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.81–0.98, coefficient of variation (CV) = 4.5%–16.8%, typical error of measure (TEM) = 0.13–0.49) versus raw values (ICC = 0.69–0.98, CV = 7.7%–42.7%, TEM = 0.14–0.68), especially when examining the vastus intermedius (ICC = 0.81–0.95, CV = 7.1%–16.8%, TEM = 0.23–0.49 vs. ICC = 0.69–0.92, CV = 22.9%–42.7%, TEM = 0.31–0.68). With the exception of the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius (p ≥ 0.143, effect size (ES) ≤ 0.18), corrected EI was greater for proximal and distal regions when compared with the midpoint (p ≤ 0.038, ES = 0.38–0.82). Researchers and practitioners should utilize subcutaneous fat thickness correction to confidently evaluate EI at all regions of the quadriceps. Regional EI cannot be used interchangeably for the vastus muscles, likely because of an increase in fibrous content towards the myotendinous junctions. Novelty Regional quadriceps echo intensity was reliable with and without correction for subcutaneous fat thickness. Intersession variability of regional quadriceps echo intensity was substantially improved following subcutaneous fat correction. Quadriceps echo intensity increased towards myotendinous junctions in the vastus muscles.

scholarly journals Acute effect of multiple sets of fatiguing resistance exercise on muscle thickness, echo intensity, and extracellular-to-intracellular water ratio

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masashi Taniguchi ◽  
Yosuke Yamada ◽  
Noriaki Ichihashi
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Tissue Water ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Acute Increase

Resistance exercise (RE) causes an acute increase of the muscle thickness (MT) considered to relate to an increase in tissue water content. Segmental bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (S-BIS) is a tool used to noninvasively assess intra- and extra-cellular water (ICW and ECW, respectively) of a given limb segment. The purpose of the present study was to examine the change of MT, ultrasound echo intensity (EI), ICW, and ECW after 3 sets of exhaustive RE. Eighteen untrained young males (age, 25.4 ± 4.1 years) performed RE consisting of 3 sets of knee extension concentric and eccentric contractions with 80% of 1-repetition maximum to failure. The MT and EI of the quadriceps measured by ultrasonography, and ECW/ICW ratio of the thigh assessed by S-BIS before (baseline) and after each set of RE (PostEx1, 2, and 3). The changes (Δ) in MT, EI, and ECW/ICW ratio were calculated as values of PostEx minus baseline values. The values of MT, EI, and ECW/ICW ratio at PostEx3 were significantly higher than baseline (effect size: MT, 1.11; EI, 0.47; and ECW/ICW ratio, 0.45). In addition, ΔMT was significantly and moderately correlated with ΔECW/ICW ratio (r = 0.61). Integrated data showed weak but significant correlation between ΔEI and ΔECW/ICW ratio as well (r = 0.31). The present results suggest multiple sets of exhaustive knee extension RE induce the acute increase of EI and ECW/ICW ratio as well as MT. The acute increase of muscle size after exercise can be at least partly explained by relative ECW increase.

Influence of muscle depth and thickness on ultrasound echo intensity of the vastus lateralis

2020 ◽  
pp. 028418512095840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa N Varanoske ◽  
Nicholas A Coker ◽  
Bri-Ana DI Johnson ◽  
Tal Belity ◽  
Adam J Wells
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Ultrasound Waves ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Subcutaneous Adipose

Background Ultrasonography is used to evaluate muscle quality (i.e. echo intensity [EI]), but an attenuation of ultrasound waves occurs in deeper tissues, potentially affecting these measures. Purpose To determine whether muscle thickness (MT) affects EI and if EI varies between the superficial and deep portions of the muscle. Materials and Methods MT, EI, subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SAT), tissue depth (DISDEEP), and EI of the overall (EIFULL) as well as deep (EIDEEP) and superficial (EISUPF) portions of the vastus lateralis (VL) were assessed in 33 resistance-trained males using ultrasonography. The difference (EIDIFF) between EISUPF and EIDEEP was calculated. Mean differences between EIFULL, EISUPF, and EIDEEP were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Relationships between measures of muscle depth/ thickness and EI were examined using Pearson’s r. Results EISUPF was greater than EIDEEP ( P < 0.001) and EIFULL ( P < 0.001). MT was negatively correlated with EIFULL ( P < 0.001) and positively correlated with EIDIFF ( P < 0.001). SAT was not correlated with any EI measure, but DISDEEP was positively correlated with EIDIFF ( P < 0.001). Conclusion EI of the VL is heterogeneous, as the deeper portion produces lower values than the superficial portion. Thicker muscles present lower EI but have greater discrepancies in EI between the superficial and deep portions. Although SAT was not correlated with EI, DISDEEP was related to EIDIFF, demonstrating that the combination of MT and SAT should be considered when evaluating muscle quality. Future research is necessary to determine if changes in EI following resistance training are driven by increases in MT.

scholarly journals Drop-Set Training Elicits Differential Increases in Non-Uniform Hypertrophy of the Quadriceps in Leg Extension Exercise

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Dorian Varović ◽  
Kristian Žganjer ◽  
Saša Vuk ◽  
Brad J. Schoenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Leg Extension ◽  
Traditional Training ◽  
Traditional Manner

The study aimed to compare the effects of drop set resistance training (RT) versus traditional RT on markers of maximal muscle strength and regional hypertrophy of the quadriceps femoris. Sixteen recreationally active young men had one leg randomly assigned to the drop-set method (DS) and the other to training in a traditional manner (TRAD). Participants performed unilateral seated leg extensions using a periodized approach for eight weeks. Rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness (MT), estimated one repetition maximum (RM) in the unilateral knee extension, and peak and average isokinetic knee extension torque at 60°/s angular velocity were measured pre- and post-study. Both conditions increased muscle thickness of the RF and VL from pre- to post-intervention. DS showed statistically greater increases in the RF at 30% and 50% of muscle length, whereas no MT differences were detected at 70% muscle length nor at any aspect of the VL. Both DS and TRAD increased estimated one RM from pre- to post-study (+34.6% versus +32.0%, respectively) with no between-condition differences noted. Both conditions showed similar increases in peak torque (DS: +21.7%; TRAD: +22.5%) and average torque (DS: +23.6%; TRAD: +22.5%) from pre- to post-study. Our findings indicate a potential benefit of the drop-set method for inducing non-uniform hypertrophic gains in the RF muscle pursuant to leg extension training. The strategy did not promote an advantage in improving hypertrophy of the VL, nor in strength-related measures, compared to traditional training.

scholarly journals Study on the differences in quantitative ultrasound of the quadriceps between schoolchildren who practise different sports

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 379-386
Author(s):  
Juan C Giraldo García ◽  
Alex N Meneses Oquendo ◽  
Elena Hernández Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Ultrasound ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Randomised Study ◽  
Vastus Intermedius ◽  
Imaging Results

Objective:To evaluate the differences in quantitative ultrasound of the quadriceps in a sample of schoolchildren who practise different sports. Material and method: A transversal, comparative and non-randomised study was carried out with an intentional sample of 184 schoolchildren, aged between 7 and 10 years. The sample was divided into three groups based on the sport practised: a) only soccer; b) volleyball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics and cheerleading; and c) no sport practised. The eco-intensity, thickness and pennation angle of some components of the quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius) were measured using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Results: There were significant differences between the 3 groups of children in the variables that measure the quality of the muscle: eco-intensity and fat percentage of the rectus femoris (p < 0.05), muscle thickness of the anterior (p< 0.05) and lateral (p< 0.01) vastus intermedius, and in the pennation angle of the rectus femoris (ARF) (p< 0.05) and of the vastus lateralis (AVL) (p< 0.01). Between groups b and c there were differences in the ARF in boys (p< 0.01) and in the AVL in girls (p< .05). Conclusion: The way in which sport initiation is carried out in children between 7 and 10 years of age may cause differences in the quadriceps muscle, which can be demonstrated through the use of quantitative ultrasound. Moreover, such differen-ces are related to the duration and frequency of the stimulus, which becomes a qualitative aspect to be considered when programming the training contents at these ages.

Muscle Quality, Measured by Ultrasound-Derived Corrected Echo Intensity, Does not Affect Changes in Cross-sectional Area of the Vastus Lateralis Following Recumbent Rest

2020 ◽  
pp. 875647932096727
Author(s):  
Alyssa N. Varanoske ◽  
Nicholas A. Coker ◽  
Bri-Ana D. I. Johnson ◽  
Tal Belity ◽  
Adam J. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objective: Recumbent rest elicits a decrease in muscle size of the lower extremity, but the extent of decrease may be related to differences in muscle quality. This could have implications for ultrasound-derived measures of muscle size, particularly in individuals with a large proportion of intramuscular contractile elements. The research objective was to determine whether decreases in muscle size following recumbent rest are related to ultrasound-derived corrected echo intensity in resistance-trained males. Methods: Cross-sectional area (CSA), echo intensity (EI), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and EI corrected for SFT (EICor) of the vastus lateralis (VL) were measured via ultrasonography in 30 resistance-trained males. Measures were obtained immediately following recumbency (T0) and 15 minutes after recumbency (T15). The association between EICor and percentage change in CSA (%ΔCSA) from T0 to T15 was examined. Comparisons of morphological characteristics were examined between a subset of participants with the lowest (LO; n = 10; <33rd percentile) and highest (HI; n = 10; >66th percentile) EICor. Results: EICor was not correlated with %ΔCSA ( P = .151), and the decrease in CSA from T0 to T15 did not differ between the LO and HI groups. Conclusions: Muscle quality (EICor) is not related to the decrease in CSA of the VL following recumbent rest among resistance-trained, young males. The time frame of muscle CSA acquisition should not differ based solely on differences in muscle quality.

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