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Differences in muscle mechanical properties between elite power and endurance athletes: a comparative study
Irineu Loturco1, Saulo Gil, Cristiano Frota de Souza Laurino
11NAR-Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Department of Medical, Brazilian Track & Field Confederation, São Paulo, Brazil; 3School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and 4State University of Londrina, Department of Physical Education, Londrina, Brazil.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|December 30, 2014
Summary
Power athletes exhibit superior jumping performance and muscle contractile properties compared to endurance athletes. Tensiomyography (TMG) and vertical jump tests effectively differentiate athlete types, aiding in talent identification.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Differentiating between power and endurance athletes is crucial for training and talent identification.
- Muscle mechanical properties and jumping performance are key indicators of athletic specialization.
- Tensiomyography (TMG) offers a non-invasive method to assess muscle contractile characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare muscle mechanical properties and jumping performance between power and endurance athletes.
- To investigate the associations between Tensiomyography (TMG) parameters and jumping performance indices.
- To evaluate the utility of TMG and jump tests in distinguishing between athlete types.
Main Methods:
- Forty-one high-level track and field athletes (power and endurance specialists) were assessed.
- Muscle mechanical properties of rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) were measured using Tensiomyography (TMG).
- Jumping performance was evaluated through squat jumps (SJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), and drop jumps, assessing reactive strength index (RSI).
Main Results:
- Power athletes demonstrated significantly higher performance in all jumping indices (SJ, CMJ, RSI) compared to endurance athletes.
- Power athletes exhibited superior muscle contractile properties, characterized by lower muscle displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), and delay time (Td) in both RF and BF muscles.
- Moderate correlations (Spearman's ρ: -0.61 to -0.72) were observed between TMG parameters and jumping performance.
Conclusions:
- Vertical jump performance and Tensiomyography (TMG) assessments are effective in distinguishing between power and endurance athletes.
- TMG parameters are moderately correlated with explosive lower-body performance, supporting its use in athlete profiling.
- Both TMG and vertical jump tests can be valuable tools for identifying and selecting young athletes based on their physiological profiles.
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