Viscoelastic properties of lower extremity muscles after elite track cycling sprint events: a case report

Abstract

Sprint cycling events require a high level of anaerobic capacity and, therefore, may affect peripheral fatigue throughout exercise-induced muscle damage. In fact, those alterations might decrease power generation. This study was performed on a 23 years old male elite track cyclist taking part in a sprint event. The measurements included power output (W) and cadence (rpm), lactate concentration (La-), heart rate (bpm), Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and viscoelastic properties analysis. The present study has shown a new approach to monitor the muscle properties of the lower extremity after 200 m flying start and repeated sprint races. Therefore, we hypothesized that repeated sprint races might lead to alterations in viscoelastic properties of lower extremity muscles. In track cycling, especially in sprint events, these variations may lead to increased muscle fatigue. Furthermore, training control and monitoring related to the assessment of muscles properties can be a source of counteracting injuries and relieving fatigue.

Quadriceps and Patellar Tendon Thickness and Stiffness in Elite Track Cyclists: An Ultrasonographic and Myotonometric Evaluation

“…Higher differences in sprinter's stiffness might be related to training specificity, e.g., short-term maximal efforts. Our previous study reported an increase in thigh muscle (especially VL) pain sensitivity after maximal anaerobic power training (Klich et al, 2018) and 200 m flying start (Klich et al, 2020). The training loads in endurance cyclists are mainly focused on aerobic capacity, and overloads does not seem to influence stiffness and thickness (Karamanidis and Arampatzis, 2006).…”

“…Young et al ( 2018 ) have shown higher PT stiff in break-dancers compared with a control group, as a sign of adaptation after training. Klich et al ( 2020 ) found an increase in QM stiff after 200 m flying start and sprints in a case study. Among soccer players compared with healthy sedentary participants, both increased rectus femoris and lower PT and QT stiffness have been recently reported (Taş et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Myotonometry has been also used to assess the stiffness of quadriceps muscle (QM stiff ) and PT (PT stiff ) in individual and team sport athletes (Young et al, 2018;Chen et al, 2019;Klich et al, 2020) and also after acute injury (Liang et al, 2017). Young et al (2018) have shown higher PT stiff in break-dancers compared with a control group, as a sign of adaptation after training.…”

“…Cyclists are more exposed to tendon injuries (i.e., patellar quadriceps tendinopathies) than muscle sprains (Wanich et al, 2007 ). Further, sprint track cyclists have also a higher risk of tendinopathy than endurance cyclists (Craig and Norton, 2001 ; Klich et al, 2020 ). Penailillo et al ( 2015 ) showed that 25% of cyclists suffer from patellar tendon (PT) pain.…”

“…Quadriceps and patellar tendinopathy should be diagnosed by noninvasive, real-time methods based on measures of thickness and mechanical properties of PT and QT tendons (Loturco et al, 2015 ; Klich et al, 2018 , 2020 ). Mechanical loadings within thigh muscles can affect QT and PT thickness as well as stiffness (Loturco et al, 2015 ; Klich et al, 2018 ).…”