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

Abstract

Abstract:The rate of force development (RFD) is vital for power athletes. Lean body mass (LBM) is considered to be an essential contributor to RFD, nevertheless high RFD may be achieved by athletes with either high or low LBM. The aim of the study was to describe the relationship between lower-body LBM and RFD, and to compare RFD in taekwondo athletes and track and field (T&F) throwers, the latter having higher LBM when compared to taekwondo athletes. Nine taekwondo athletes and nine T&F throwers were evaluated for countermovement jumping, isometric leg press and leg extension RFD, vastus lateralis (VL), and medial gastrocnemius muscle architecture and body composition. Lower body LBM was correlated with RFD 0-250 ms (r = 0.81, p = 0.016). Taekwondo athletes had lower LBM and jumping power per LBM. RFD was similar between groups at 30-50 ms, but higher for throwers at 80-250 ms. RFD adjusted for VL thickness was higher in taekwondo athletes at 30 ms, but higher in throwers at 200-250 ms. These results suggest that lower body LBM is correlated with RFD in power trained athletes. RFD adjusted for VL thickness might be more relevant to evaluate in power athletes with low LBM, while late RFD might be more relevant to evaluate in athletes with higher LBM.

Phase-Specific Changes in Rate of Force Development and Muscle Morphology Throughout a Block Periodized Training Cycle in Weightlifters

“…For example, earlier RFD time bands (<100 ms from onset) have been suggested to be influenced to a greater degree by neural factors and intrinsic muscle properties [19,20,21,22,23]. Conversely, later RFD time bands (>100 ms from onset) are more closely related to maximal muscle strength and size [24,25,26]. Since block periodized training consists of distinct phases that emphasize certain physical qualities, the RFD time bands may be affected differently.…”

“…Both PF and RFD are influenced by the size, architecture, and composition of muscle fibers [23,26,34,35,36]. Ultrasonography (US) provides a non-invasive method for assessing and monitoring muscle qualities like muscle thickness (MT), cross-sectional area (CSA), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL) [37,38,39].…”

Elbow Extensors and Volar Flexors Strength Capacity and Its Relation to Shooting Performance in Basketball Players—A Pilot Study

“…Although it is known that muscle growth is occurring in boys until 17.5 years of age [19], our results showed that juniors and seniors had similar strength capacities of elbow extensors and volar flexors, with the exception of RTD PEAK . Significantly larger normalized RTD PEAK in junior players can be explained with their lower body mass index (Table 1), since it is known that lean body mass is associated with greater RFD/RTD [20]. On the other hand, differences in abilities such as k RTD-SF , which is independent of the body mass and muscle size,…”

Relación entre las características de la composición corporal y el rendimiento físico general y específico en competidores de taekwondo chilenos de nivel nacional de ambos sexos: un estudio observacional

“…Aunque esto difiere notablemente con atletas de alto nivel, quienes presentan una MM en promedio de 58kg para hombres y 42kg para mujeres 5 . De acuerdo con Kavvoura et al (2018) 22 . En tanto una calidad muscular, incluyendo una adecuada longitud de los fascículos en serie y en paralelo, así como una elevada conducción nerviosa, serían factores relevantes asociados a nuestros resultados 22 .…”