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Trunk muscularity in throwers.
N I Tanaka1, T Komuro, N Tsunoda
1Division of Health Promotion and Exercise, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan. tanaka-n@nih.go.jp
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|August 21, 2012
Summary
Track and field throwers exhibit greater trunk muscle volume, particularly in the upper region, compared to non-athletes. Lower trunk muscle mass significantly predicts strength and throwing performance in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Anatomy
Background:
- Trunk musculature plays a crucial role in athletic performance, especially in power-based sports.
- Understanding the specific adaptations of trunk muscles in elite athletes is essential for performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare trunk skeletal muscle volume (SMV(trunk)) between track and field throwers and non-athletes.
- To investigate the predictive value of trunk muscularity for athletic performance in throwers.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine SMV(trunk) in 19 athletes and 18 non-athletes.
- Trunk SMV was analyzed across upper, middle, and lower regions.
- Athletes' maximal strength (1RM) for squat, high clean, deadlift, and shot forward throwing scores were measured.
Main Results:
- Athletes displayed a 10% greater SMV(trunk) than non-athletes, with greater differences observed in the upper trunk region.
- Lower trunk SMV was a significant predictor for 1RM values in squat, high clean, and deadlift.
- Lower trunk SMV also significantly predicted shot forward throwing performance.
Conclusions:
- Track and field throwers possess enhanced trunk muscularity, predominantly in the upper region.
- Lower trunk muscle development is a key determinant of maximal strength and throwing performance in this athlete group.
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