Muscle stiffness and rate of torque development during sprint cycling

Watsford, M; Ditroilo, M; Fernández-Peña, E; D'Amen, G; Lucertini, F

Muscle stiffness and rate of torque development during sprint cycling

Watsford, M

Ditroilo, M Fernández-Peña, E D'Amen, G Lucertini, F

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2010, 42 (7), pp. 1324 - 1332
Issue Date:: 2010-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Watsford, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4569-6377	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ditroilo, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fernández-Peña, E	en_US
dc.contributor.author	D'Amen, G	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lucertini, F	en_US
dc.date.issued	2010-07-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2010, 42 (7), pp. 1324 - 1332	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0195-9131	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/13719
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: Crank torque (CT) application and rate of CT development (RCTD) are important considerations in sprint cycling. The stiffness of the musculotendinous unit is related to the isometric rate of torque development (RTD); however, this relationship has yet to be examined in sprint cycling. Methods: Maximal isometric torque (MIT) and isometric RTD of the quadriceps were assessed in 21 trained male cyclists (28.7 ± 9.5 yr, 1.74 ± 0.08 m, and 67.5 ± 7.2 kg). Unilateral musculoarticular (MA) stiffness of the quadriceps was quantified using an oscillation test. Further, the participants performed a maximal 6-s sprint to assess peak power output (POpeak), peak CT (CTpeak), peak RCTD (RCTDpeak), and the crank angles associated with CTpeak and RCTDpeak. Participants were ranked on MA stiffness properties and were divided into a relatively stiff group (SG) and a relatively compliant group (CG). Results: The SG displayed a significantly higher MA stiffness than the CG (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the SG reported significantly elevated MIT (27%), RTD (26%), and RCTDpeak (16%) when compared with the CG (P < 0.05), along with trends for increased POpeak (7%) and CTpeak (8%). The angles at CT peak and RCTDpeak were 7% and 12% lower for the SG, respectively (P < 0.05). MA stiffness was significantly correlated with RCTDpeak, MIT, RTD, and POpeak. Conclusions: Higher stiffness is related to superior RCTDpeak in trained cyclists during a single sprint. A significant proportion of the variance in RCTDpeak was attributed to MA stiffness (37%), which was of greater magnitude than the relationship between RCTDpeak and MIT. Furthermore, the lower CT peak angle and RCTDpeak angle may contribute to a more rapid development of CT. Accordingly, MA stiffness seems to be an important consideration for sprint cycling. Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Sports Medicine.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181ce509d	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Sport Sciences	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Exercise	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Isometric Contraction	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Torque	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Bicycling	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Quadriceps Muscle	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Muscle Strength	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.title	Muscle stiffness and rate of torque development during sprint cycling	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	7	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	42	en_US
utslib.for	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1116 Medical Physiology	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
dc.location.activity	ISI:000278873900012	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Sports and Exercise Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	7	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	42	en_US

Abstract:

Purpose: Crank torque (CT) application and rate of CT development (RCTD) are important considerations in sprint cycling. The stiffness of the musculotendinous unit is related to the isometric rate of torque development (RTD); however, this relationship has yet to be examined in sprint cycling. Methods: Maximal isometric torque (MIT) and isometric RTD of the quadriceps were assessed in 21 trained male cyclists (28.7 ± 9.5 yr, 1.74 ± 0.08 m, and 67.5 ± 7.2 kg). Unilateral musculoarticular (MA) stiffness of the quadriceps was quantified using an oscillation test. Further, the participants performed a maximal 6-s sprint to assess peak power output (POpeak), peak CT (CTpeak), peak RCTD (RCTDpeak), and the crank angles associated with CTpeak and RCTDpeak. Participants were ranked on MA stiffness properties and were divided into a relatively stiff group (SG) and a relatively compliant group (CG). Results: The SG displayed a significantly higher MA stiffness than the CG (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the SG reported significantly elevated MIT (27%), RTD (26%), and RCTDpeak (16%) when compared with the CG (P < 0.05), along with trends for increased POpeak (7%) and CTpeak (8%). The angles at CT peak and RCTDpeak were 7% and 12% lower for the SG, respectively (P < 0.05). MA stiffness was significantly correlated with RCTDpeak, MIT, RTD, and POpeak. Conclusions: Higher stiffness is related to superior RCTDpeak in trained cyclists during a single sprint. A significant proportion of the variance in RCTDpeak was attributed to MA stiffness (37%), which was of greater magnitude than the relationship between RCTDpeak and MIT. Furthermore, the lower CT peak angle and RCTDpeak angle may contribute to a more rapid development of CT. Accordingly, MA stiffness seems to be an important consideration for sprint cycling. Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Sports Medicine.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/13719