scholarly journals Training-Induced Muscle Adaptations During Competitive Preparation in Elite Female Rowers

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan van der Zwaard ◽  
Tommie F. P. Koppens ◽  
Guido Weide ◽  
Koen Levels ◽  
Mathijs J. Hofmijster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Muscle Volume ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Muscle Morphology ◽  
Muscle Adaptations ◽  
Rowing Ergometer

Training-induced adaptations in muscle morphology, including their magnitude and individual variation, remain relatively unknown in elite athletes. We reported changes in rowing performance and muscle morphology during the general and competitive preparation phases in elite rowers. Nineteen female rowers completed 8 weeks of general preparation, including concurrent endurance and high-load resistance training (HLRT). Seven rowers were monitored during a subsequent 16 weeks of competitive preparation, including concurrent endurance and resistance training with additional plyometric loading (APL). Vastus lateralis muscle volume, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), fascicle length, and pennation angle were measured using 3D ultrasonography. Rowing ergometer power output was measured as mean power in the final 4 minutes of an incremental test. Rowing ergometer power output improved during general preparation [+2 ± 2%, effect size (ES) = 0.22, P = 0.004], while fascicle length decreased (−5 ± 8%, ES = −0.47, P = 0.020). Rowing power output further improved during competitive preparation (+5 ± 3%, ES = 0.52, P = 0.010). Here, morphological adaptations were not significant, but demonstrated large ESs for fascicle length (+13 ± 19%, ES = 0.93), medium for pennation angle (−9 ± 15%, ES = −0.71), and small for muscle volume (+8 ± 13%, ES = 0.32). Importantly, rowers showed large individual differences in their training-induced muscle adaptations. In conclusion, vastus lateralis muscles of elite female athletes are highly adaptive to specific training stimuli, and adaptations largely differ between individual athletes. Therefore, coaches are encouraged to closely monitor their athletes' individual (muscle) adaptations to better evaluate the effectiveness of their training programs and finetune them to the athlete's individual needs.

scholarly journals Differences in Pedaling Technique in Cycling: A Cluster Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 959-964
Author(s):  
Fábio J. Lanferdini ◽  
Rodrigo R. Bini ◽  
Pedro Figueiredo ◽  
Fernando Diefenthaeler ◽  
Carlos B. Mota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Pedal Force ◽  
Cluster 2

Purpose:To employ cluster analysis to assess if cyclists would opt for different strategies in terms of neuromuscular patterns when pedaling at the power output of their second ventilatory threshold (POVT2) compared with cycling at their maximal power output (POMAX).Methods:Twenty athletes performed an incremental cycling test to determine their power output (POMAX and POVT2; first session), and pedal forces, muscle activation, muscle–tendon unit length, and vastus lateralis architecture (fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle thickness) were recorded (second session) in POMAX and POVT2. Athletes were assigned to 2 clusters based on the behavior of outcome variables at POVT2 and POMAX using cluster analysis.Results:Clusters 1 (n = 14) and 2 (n = 6) showed similar power output and oxygen uptake. Cluster 1 presented larger increases in pedal force and knee power than cluster 2, without differences for the index of effectiveness. Cluster 1 presented less variation in knee angle, muscle–tendon unit length, pennation angle, and tendon length than cluster 2. However, clusters 1 and 2 showed similar muscle thickness, fascicle length, and muscle activation. When cycling at POVT2 vs POMAX, cyclists could opt for keeping a constant knee power and pedal-force production, associated with an increase in tendon excursion and a constant fascicle length.Conclusions:Increases in power output lead to greater variations in knee angle, muscle–tendon unit length, tendon length, and pennation angle of vastus lateralis for a similar knee-extensor activation and smaller pedal-force changes in cyclists from cluster 2 than in cluster 1.

scholarly journals Gastrocnemius Medialis Architectural Properties in Flexibility Trained and Not Trained Child Female Athletes: A Pilot Study

Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioli Panidi ◽  
Gregory C. Bogdanis ◽  
Vasiliki Gaspari ◽  
Polyxeni Spiliopoulou ◽  
Anastasia Donti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Distal Part ◽  
Joint Angle ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽  
Ankle Angle

Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) architecture and ankle angle were compared between flexibility trained (n = 10) and not trained (n = 6) female athletes, aged 8–10 years. Ankle angle, fascicle length, pennation angle and muscle thickness were measured at the mid-belly and the distal part of GM, at rest and at the end of one min of static stretching. Flexibility trained (FT) and not trained athletes (FNT) had similar fascicle length at the medial (4.19 ± 0.37 vs. 4.24 ± 0.54 cm, respectively, p = 0.841) and the distal part of GM (4.25 ± 0.35 vs. 4.18 ± 0.65 cm, respectively, p = 0.780), similar pennation angles, and muscle thickness (p > 0.216), and larger ankle angle at rest (120.9 ± 4.2 vs. 110.9 ± 5.8°, respectively, p = 0.001). During stretching, FT displayed greater fascicle elongation compared to FNT at the medial (+1.67 ± 0.37 vs. +1.28 ± 0.22 cm, respectively, p = 0.048) and the distal part (+1.84 ± 0.67 vs. +0.97 ± 0.97 cm, respectively, p = 0.013), larger change in joint angle and muscle tendon junction displacement (MTJ) (p < 0.001). Muscle thickness was similar in both groups (p > 0.053). Ankle dorsiflexion angle significantly correlated with fascicle elongation at the distal part of GM (r = −0.638, p < 0.01) and MTJ displacement (r = −0.610, p < 0.05). Collectively, FT had greater fascicle elongation at the medial and distal part of GM and greater MTJ displacement during stretching than FNT of similar age.

Skeletal muscle architectural adaptations to marathon run training

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Murach ◽  
Cory Greever ◽  
Nicholas D. Luden
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽  
Marathon Training ◽  
Architectural Features ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recreational Runners ◽  
Lactate Levels

We assessed lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and vastus lateralis (VL) architecture in 16 recreational runners before and after 12 weeks of marathon training. LG fascicle length decreased 10% while pennation angle increased 17% (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between diminished blood lactate levels and LG pennation angle change (r = 0.90). No changes were observed in VL. This is the first evidence that run training can modify skeletal muscle architectural features.

scholarly journals Force–Time Characteristics of Dynamic and Isometric Muscle Actions: Association with Muscle Architecture in Female Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5272
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Gaspari ◽  
Gregory C. Bogdanis ◽  
Ioli Panidi ◽  
Georgia Giannakopoulou ◽  
Gerasimos Terzis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Rate Of Force Development ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Force Development ◽  
Force Time ◽  
Muscle Actions

The association between force–time characteristics of isometric leg press (ILP) and countermovement jump (CMJ) with vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture, was examined in 19 female athletes (aged 23.2 ± 5.4 years). Peak force (PF), average rate of force development (ARFD) and rate of force development (RFD) at different time epochs were calculated from the force–time curve, as well as CMJ jump height and power. Significant correlations were found between ILP-PF and CMJ power (r = 0.658, p < 0.01), while both variables were correlated with VL thickness and fascicle length (r = 0.471 to 0.648, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were also observed between ILP-RFD epochs and VL fascicle length (r = 0.565 to 0.646, p < 0.05) and between CMJ height with VL thickness (r = 0.523, p < 0.05). Furthermore, positive correlations were found between ILP and CMJ in ARFD (r = 0.625, p < 0.01) and RFD epochs (r = 0.464 to 0.566, p < 0.05). ILP-PF and muscle thickness accounted for 52.8% (p = 0.002) of the variance in CMJ power. These results suggest that isometric force time characteristics are associated with power generation during dynamic muscle actions. Furthermore, VL muscle thickness and fascicle length are associated with rapid force production in female athletes, irrespective of the type of muscle action.

scholarly journals Changes in Muscle Power and Muscle Morphology with Different Volumes of Fast Eccentric Half-Squats

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia Zacharia ◽  
Polyxeni Spiliopoulou ◽  
Spyridon Methenitis ◽  
Angeliki-Nikoletta Stasinaki ◽  
Nikolaos Zaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Power ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Power Performance ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Muscle Morphology ◽  
Strength Performance ◽  
Type Composition ◽  
Before And After

The aim of the study was to evaluate power performance and muscle morphology adaptations in response to 5 weeks of fast-eccentric squat training (FEST) performed twice per week, with three different training volumes. Twenty-five moderately trained females were assigned into three groups performing eight repetitions of FEST of either four sets (4 × 8 group; N = 9), 6 sets (6 × 8 group; N = 8) or eight sets (8 × 8 group, N = 8). Before and after the intervention, countermovement jumping height (CMJh) and power (CMJp), half squat maximal strength (1-RM), quadriceps cross-sectional area (QCSA) and vastus lateralis (VL) architecture and fiber type composition were evaluated. Significant increases (p < 0.05) were found for all groups, with no differences among them in 1-RM (4 × 8: 14.8 ± 8.2%, 6 × 8: 13.1 ± 9.2% and 8 × 8: 21.6 ± 7.0%), CMJh (4 × 8: 12.5 ± 8.5%, 6 × 8: 11.3 ± 9.3% and 8 × 8: 7.0 ± 6.2%), CMJp (4 × 8: 9.1 ± 6.0%, 6 × 8: 7.1 ± 5.2% and 8 × 8: 5.0 ± 3.9%) and QCSA (4 × 8: 7.7 ± 4.7%, 6 × 8: 9.0 ± 6.8% and 8 × 8: 8.2 ± 6.5%). Muscle fiber type distribution remained unaltered after training in all groups. VL fascicle length increased and fascicle angle decreased only in 6 × 8 and 8 × 8 groups. In conclusion, four sets of eight fast-eccentric squats/week increase lower body power and strength performance and maintain type IIX muscle fibers after 5 weeks, at least in moderately trained females.

The training-specific adaptations resulting from resistance training, gymnastics and plyometric training, and non-training in adolescent athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 762-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh L Secomb ◽  
Oliver R Farley ◽  
Sophia Nimphius ◽  
Lina Lundgren ◽  
Tai T Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Plyometric Training ◽  
Adolescent Athletes ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Leg Stiffness ◽  
Training Control

Although previous research has investigated the training-specific adaptations to training in adults, there is a paucity of research aimed at investigating these adaptations in adolescent athletes. As such, adolescent athletes’ training-specific adaptations from three different training interventions were investigated in this study. Sixteen adolescent athletes participated in this study, whereby eight performed both training interventions and eight the non-training control. Pre- and post-testing was performed for each intervention with the testing battery: ultrasonography of the vastus lateralis and lateral gastrocnemius, countermovement jump, squat jump, and isometric mid-thigh pull. The resistance training group had large significant increases in isometric mid-thigh pull relative peak force ( p < 0.01, g = 0.85 (−0.01, 1.71)) and vastus lateralis fascicle length ( p = 0.04, g = 0.94 (0.07, 1.80)). The gymnastics and plyometric group demonstrated large significant changes in vastus lateralis pennation angle ( p = 0.03, g = −0.94 (−1.81, −0.08)) and fascicle length ( p = 0.03, g = 1.07 (0.19, 1.95)), and moderate significant increases in lateral gastrocnemius thickness ( p = 0.01, g = 0.63 (−0.21, 1.47)) and eccentric leg stiffness ( p = 0.03, g = 0.60 (−0.24, 1.44)). No significant changes were observed for any variables in the non-training group. The resistance training evoked increases in lower-body force producing capabilities, whereas the gymnastics and plyometric training evoked changes in muscle structure and inherent muscle qualities.

scholarly journals Rate of Force Development and Muscle Architecture after Fast and Slow Velocity Eccentric Training

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeliki-Nikoletta Stasinaki ◽  
Nikolaos Zaras ◽  
Spyridon Methenitis ◽  
Gregory Bogdanis ◽  
Gerasimos Terzis
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Rate Of Force Development ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Eccentric Training ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Force Development ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
Slow Velocity

The aim of the study was to investigate the rate of force development (RFD) and muscle architecture early adaptations in response to training with fast- or slow-velocity eccentric squats. Eighteen young novice participants followed six weeks (two sessions/week) of either fast-velocity (Fast) or slow-velocity (Slow) squat eccentric-only training. Fast eccentric training consisted of nine sets of nine eccentric-only repetitions at 70% of 1-RM with <1 s duration for each repetition. Slow eccentric training consisted of five sets of six eccentric-only repetitions at 90% of 1-RM with ~4 sec duration for each repetition. Before and after training, squat 1-RM, countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric leg press RFD, and vastus lateralis muscle architecture were evaluated. Squat 1-RM increased by 14.5 ± 7.0% (Fast, p < 0.01) and by 5.4 ± 5.1% (Slow, p < 0.05). RFD and fascicle length increased significantly in the Fast group by 10–19% and 10.0 ± 6.2%, p < 0.01, respectively. Muscle thickness increased only in the Slow group (6.0 ± 6.8%, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the training induced changes in fascicle length and RFD. These results suggest that fast eccentric resistance training may be more appropriate for increases in rapid force production compared to slow eccentric resistance training, and this may be partly due to increases in muscle fascicle length induced by fast eccentric training.

scholarly journals Effect of resistance training on skeletal muscle-specific force in elderly humans

2004 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 885-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. D. Reeves ◽  
M. V. Narici ◽  
C. N. Maganaris
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Strength Training ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Volume ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Specific Force ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Leg Extension ◽  
Muscle Fascicle

This study assessed muscle-specific force in vivo following strength training in old age. Subjects were assigned to training ( n = 9, age 74.3 ± 3.5 yr; mean ± SD) and control ( n = 9, age 67.1 ± 2 yr) groups. Leg-extension and leg-press exercises (2 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of the 5 repetition maximum) were performed three times/wk for 14 wk. Vastus lateralis (VL) muscle fascicle force was calculated from maximal isometric voluntary knee extensor torque with superimposed stimuli, accounting for the patella tendon moment arm length, ultrasound-based measurements of muscle architecture, and antagonist cocontraction estimated from electromyographic activity. Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) was calculated from the ratio of muscle volume to fascicle length. Specific force was calculated by dividing fascicle force by PCSA. Fascicle force increased by 11%, from 847.9 ± 365.3 N before to 939.3 ± 347.8 N after training ( P < 0.05). Due to a relatively greater increase in fascicle length (11%) than muscle volume (6%), PCSA remained unchanged (pretraining: 30.4 ± 8.9 cm2; posttraining: 29.1 ± 8.4 cm2; P > 0.05). Activation capacity and VL muscle root mean square electromyographic activity increased by 5 and 40%, respectively, after training ( P < 0.05), indicating increased agonist neural drive, whereas antagonist cocontraction remained unchanged ( P > 0.05). The VL muscle-specific force increased by 19%, from 27 ± 6.3 N/cm2 before to 32.1 ± 7.4 N/cm2 after training ( P < 0.01), highlighting the effectiveness of strength training for increasing the intrinsic force-producing capacity of skeletal muscle in old age.

Sprint performance is related to muscle fascicle length in male 100-m sprinters

2000 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 811-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenya Kumagai ◽  
Takashi Abe ◽  
William F. Brechue ◽  
Tomoo Ryushi ◽  
Susumu Takano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
Lateralis Muscle ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Gastrocnemius Lateralis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle fascicle length and sprint running performance in 37 male 100-m sprinters. The sample was divided into two performance groups by the personal-best 100-m time: 10.00–10.90 s (S10; n = 22) and 11.00–11.70 s (S11; n = 15). Muscle thickness and fascicle pennation angle of the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis muscles were measured by B-mode ultrasonography, and fascicle length was estimated. Standing height, body weight, and leg length were similar between groups. Muscle thickness was similar between groups for vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis, but S10 had a significantly greater gastrocnemius lateralis muscle thickness. S10 also had a greater muscle thickness in the upper portion of the thigh, which, given similar limb lengths, demonstrates an altered “muscle shape.” Pennation angle was always less in S10 than in S11. In all muscles, S10 had significantly greater fascicle length than did S11, which significantly correlated with 100-m best performance ( rvalues from −0.40 to −0.57). It is concluded that longer fascicle length is associated with greater sprinting performance.

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