Force-velocity relationship profile of elbow flexors in male gymnasts

Abstract

Background The theoretical maximum force (F0), velocity (V0), and power (Pmax) of athletes calculated from the relationship between force and velocity (F-V relationship) and the slope of the F-V relationship, reflect their competitive and training activity profiles. Evaluating the F-V relationship of athletes facilitates categorizing the profiles of dynamic muscle functions in relation to long-term sport-specific training. For gymnastics, however, no studies have tried to examine the profiles of F-V relation and power output for upper limb muscles in relation to the muscularity, while the use of the upper extremities in this sport is very unique as described earlier. Purpose It was hypothesized that the F-V relationship of the elbow flexion in gymnasts might be characterized by low capacity for generating explosive force, notably in terms of the force normalized to muscle size. Methods The F0, V0, and Pmax derived from the force-velocity relationship during explosive elbow flexion against six different loads (unloaded condition, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75% of maximal voluntary isometric elbow flexion force (MVFEF)) for 16 gymnasts (GYM) and 22 judo athletes (JD). F0 and Pmax were expressed as values relative to the cross-sectional area index (CSAindex) of elbow flexors (F0/CSAindex and Pmax/CSAindex, respectively), which was calculated from muscle thickness in the anterior upper arm. The electromyogram (EMG) activities of the biceps brachii (BB) during the maximal isometric and dynamic tasks were also determined. Results There were no significant differences in CSAindex of elbow flexors between GYM and JD. MVFEF/CSAindex for GYM was significantly lower than that for JD. Force was linearly associated with velocity in the dynamic elbow flexion for all the participants (r = − 0.997 to −0.905 for GYM, r = − 0.998 to −0.840 for JD). F0, F0/ CSAindex, V0, Pmax, Pmax/CSAindex, and MVFEF were significantly lower in GYM than in JD. The activity levels of BB during the dynamic tasks tended to be lower in GYM than in JD at load of <45%MVC. Conclusion Gymnasts cannot generate explosive elbow flexion force corresponding to their muscle size. This may be due to low neuromuscular activities during the maximal dynamic tasks against relatively low loads.

Level of Agreement, Reliability, and Minimal Detectable Change of the MusclelabTM Laser Speed Device on Force–Velocity–Power Sprint Profiles in Division II Collegiate Athletes

“…The benefits of FVP profiling include addressing variability in playing level [4,5], sport position [6], and age [7] as well as the ability to take into account external variables, such as time of season [8]. Team sports, such as rugby [3,9], soccer [4,7], ice hockey [10], and netball [11], as well as individual athletic activities, such as ballet [12] and gymnastics [13], have utilized this approach.…”

Effects of Different Isometric Training Programs on Muscle Size and Function in the Elbow Flexors

“…If the participants could not exert the elbow flexion force exceeding 90% MVC, we asked the participants to exert as much force as possible for 3 s. The number of sets was 3-4 in a session, and the total number of training sessions was 18. According to the methods reported by a previous study [18], MVC and muscle size were measured at the beginning of the week to adjust the training intensity for each participant. As indices of training volume, we recorded the exerted force in every training session, and the computed impulse and mean elbow flexion force exerted in a session were calculated from the obtained data (see below in MVC).…”