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Discipline-specific adaptation patterns in respiratory and lower limb musculotendinous structures: cyclists vs.
Leonardo Cesanelli1,2, Deividas Saveikis3, Daniele Conte4,5
1Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania - leonardo.cesanelli@lsu.lt.
Background:
This study aimed at assessing how chronic exposure to specific exercise training (high-intensity intervals vs. endurance), comparing experienced basketball-players (BP, N.=16), cyclists (CY, N.=16), and non-specifically trained individuals (CN, N.=16), influences the structural and functional characteristics of both lower limb and respiratory musculotendinous structures.
Methods:
Vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius lateralis, and medialis, diaphragm muscles, as well as patellar tendon and Achilles tendon, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography. Maximal voluntary isometric and passive torque measurements were conducted in the knee-extensors and plantar-flexors. Additionally, a subset of participants (N.=10 for each group) underwent a fatigue-inducing exercise-till-exhaustion protocol, and the strength of lower limb and respiratory muscles was evaluated immediately before and after the trial.
Results:
Athletes had bigger and stronger musculotendinous structures and greater endurance to fatigue than CN (P<0.05). BP had bigger plantar-flexors and diaphragm, greater fascicles length, more explosive plantar-flexors and respiratory muscles and bigger tendons than CY (P<0.05). On the other hand, CY showed greater muscle pennation angle and greater endurance to fatigue for both, lower limb, and respiratory muscles (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
The present study emphasizes that chronic and specific exercise training leads to distinctive adaptations, not only in lower limb musculotendinous structures but also in other components such as respiratory muscles.
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