Rate of Force Development, Muscle Architecture, and Performance in Young Competitive Track and Field Throwers

Abstract

The rate of force development (RFD) is an essential component for performance in explosive activities, although it has been proposed that muscle architectural characteristics might be linked with RFD and power performance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between RFD, muscle architecture, and performance in young track and field throwers. Twelve young track and field throwers completed 10 weeks of periodized training. Before (T1) and after (T2) training performance was evaluated in competitive track and field throws, commonly used shot put tests, isometric leg press RFD, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength as well as vastus lateralis architecture and body composition. Performance in competitive track and field throwing and the shot put test from the power position increased by 6.76 ± 4.31% (p < 0.001) and 3.58 ± 4.97% (p = 0.019), respectively. Rate of force development and 1RM strength also increased (p ≤ 0.05). Vastus lateralis thickness and fascicle length increased by 5.95 ± 7.13% (p = 0.012) and 13.41 ± 16.15% (p = 0.016), respectively. Significant correlations were found at T1 and T2, between performance in the shot put tests and both RFD and fascicle length (p ≤ 0.05). Close correlations were found between RFD, muscle thickness, and fascicle length (p ≤ 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the % changes in lean body mass and the % increases in RFD. When calculated together, the % increase in muscle thickness and RFD could predict the % increase in shot put throw test from the power position (p = 0.019). These results suggest that leg press RFD may predict performance in shot put tests that are commonly used by track and field throwers.

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

“…On the other hand, throwers performed resistance training 3-4 training sessions per week during the previous 6-8 years using high resistance loads (80-95% of 1RM) with structural exercises (squats, bench press, shoulder press, etc.). Olympic weightlifting exercises performed with high movement velocity were also included [14]. Plyometrics were also performed in 2-3 sessions each week using the body mass as external loading.…”

“…Nevertheless, little is known about the correlation between muscle mass and RFD in power athletes. Recently, a close relationship was reported between isometric leg press late RFD (>100 ms) and lean body mass in young aged track and field throwers, while early RFD (<100 ms) was not related with their lean body mass [14]. Taekwondo athletes are expected to have lower lean body mass when compared to track and field throwers [15], although direct evidence is lacking on this issue.…”

“…Muscle architectural characteristics, fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle thickness, may also influence RDF [2,14,16]. Previous studies indicate that pennation angle and muscle thickness seems to affect late RFD [2,14,17,18].…”

“…Previous studies indicate that pennation angle and muscle thickness seems to affect late RFD [2,14,17,18]. 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]. In addition, previous study indicates that in experienced power trained athletes, vastus lateralis fascicle length have stronger contribution/effect on sprinting, jumping, and throwing performance as compared to pennation angle and muscle thickness [28].…”