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Musculotendinous stiffness: its relationship to eccentric, isometric, and concentric performance
G J Wilson1, A J Murphy, J F Pryor
1Centre for Human Movement Science and Sport Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Musculotendinous stiffness significantly impacts isometric and concentric strength, but not eccentric strength. Optimal stiffness for maximal isometric and concentric performance lies towards the stiffer end of the elasticity spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Musculotendinous stiffness is a critical factor in muscle function.
- Understanding its relationship with different contraction types is essential for optimizing athletic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the relationship between musculotendinous stiffness and performance in eccentric, isometric, and concentric activities.
- To determine the optimal range of musculotendinous stiffness for maximal force production.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen trained subjects performed maximal effort eccentric, isometric, and concentric bench press movements.
- Musculotendinous stiffness was assessed using damped oscillations from perturbations during isometric contractions.
- Correlation analyses were used to relate stiffness to performance metrics.
Main Results:
- Musculotendinous stiffness showed significant positive correlations with isometric (r = 0.57-0.78) and concentric (r = 0.57-0.78) performance.
- No significant relationship was found between musculotendinous stiffness and eccentric performance.
- Optimal musculotendinous stiffness for isometric and concentric tasks was found towards the stiffer end of the elasticity continuum.
Conclusions:
- A stiffer musculotendinous unit enhances force production capabilities in isometric and concentric contractions.
- This improved performance may stem from enhanced contractile component length/rate of shortening and better initial force transmission.
- The findings suggest that training interventions aimed at increasing musculotendinous stiffness could benefit isometric and concentric strength.