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Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Procedures for Rat in situ Skeletal Muscle Contractile Properties
Published on: October 15, 2011
Muscle forces and powers during sprint cycling at optimal cadence
Matthew T O Worsey1, Claire B Crossley1, Thomas Wackwitz2
1Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology (PRECISE), Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4215, Australia; School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4215, Australia.
Abstract:
This study describes lower limb musculotendon unit (MTU) forces and powers during sprint cycling. Seven participants (2 female) performed maximal effort cycling at optimal cadence. Three-dimensional motion capture, pedal forces, and surface electromyography (EMG) data were input into participant-calibrated EMG-informed neuromusculoskeletal models to evaluate forces and powers produced by 18 lower-limb MTUs. In the pushing phase (10° - 170°, relative to the right crank at top dead centre), the hip adductor group generated the highest average force (1623.78 ± 980.62 N) and the vastus lateralis generated the highest average positive power (193.11 ± 153.07 W). In the pulling phase (170°-350°), the hip adductor group generated the highest average force (1140.48 ± 482.57 N) and average power (60.47 ± 68.87 W). In the transition phase (350°-10°), the vastus lateralis generated the highest average force (1432.26 ± 1169.40 N) and average power (76.98 ± 71.84 W). MTU power crank cycle-profiles were generated for each participant, highlighting differences in patterns of MTU power generation. Future work is needed to determine if targeted training based on cyclist-specific MTU force and power model outputs would lead to improved sprint cycling performance.
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