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. 2024 Jun 1;24(2):127-138.

Discipline-specific Torque-Velocity Profiles and Musculotendinous Morphology in Athletes

Leonardo Cesanelli  1 , Tomas Venckunas  1 , Berta Ylaitė  1 , Vytautas Streckis  2 , Sigitas Kamandulis  1 , Hans Degens  1   3 , Danguole Satkunskiene  4
Affiliations

Discipline-specific Torque-Velocity Profiles and Musculotendinous Morphology in Athletes

Leonardo Cesanelli et al. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. .

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare torque-velocity profiles, muscle architecture, tendon dimensions, and bilateral-symmetry between competitive cyclists (CY), competitive runners (RN), ice-hockey players (IH), basketball players (BP), and physically-active individuals (CN) (n=10 for each group).

Methods: Vastus lateralis (VL) muscle and patellar tendon (PT) structures were determined with B-mode ultrasonography, and maximal knee extensor isokinetic torque was assessed at three different velocities.

Results: Optimal torque and velocity were lower in runners than CY, BP and IH (p<0.05). Maximal power was similar between the athlete groups but greater than CN (p<0.05). Furthermore, RN and BP reached their peak-torque at longer muscle lengths compared to IH and CY (p<0.05). RN had the lowest VL muscle thickness and the greatest fascicle length, while CY had the greatest pennation angle (p<0.05). CY had the greatest PT thickness, particularly at the proximal and medial sites, while BP at the distal point (p<0.05), with similar trends observed for PT cross-sectional-area.

Conclusions: Our findings show that even if power generating capacity is similar between athletic disciplines, there are discipline-specific muscle adaptations, where particularly runners appear to have muscles adapted for speed rather than torque development, while in cyclists, velocity is sacrificed for torque development.

Keywords: Isokinetic; Muscle Mechanics; Physical Performance; Skeletal Muscle; Strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical representation of the study protocol. Left side representing the details of the ultrasound imaging procedures and right side representing the isokinetic test and force velocity profiling.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Between-groups differences for isokinetic torque-velocity profile markers. Notes: T0, optimal torque; V0, optimal velocity; Pmax, maximum power; OA, optimal angle; a, p<0.05 RN; b, p<0,05 IH; c, p<0.05 BP; d, p<0.05 CN.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Between-groups differences for VL muscle architecture relative data. Notes: nMTVL, normalized muscle thickness; nLfVL, normalized fascicle length a, p<0.05 RN; b, p<0,05 IH; c, p<0.05 BP; d, p<0.05 CN.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Between-groups differences for PT dimensions relative data. Notes: nTT, normalized tendon thickness; nCSA, normalized cross-sectional area; P, proximal side; M, medial side; D, distal side; a, p<0.05 RN; b, p<0,05 IH; c, p<0.05 BP; d, p<0.05 CN. a, p<0.05 RN; b, p<0,05 IH; c, p<0.05 BP; d, p<0.05 CN.
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