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Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(13): 984-994
DOI: 10.1055/a-0644-3742
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Associations of the Force-velocity Profile with Isometric Strength and Neuromuscular Factors

Antonio Jesus Morales-Artacho
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Amador García Ramos
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Alejandro Pérez-Castilla
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Paulino Padial
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Javier Argüelles-Cienfuegos
2   High Performance Center of Sierra Nevada, Spanish Sport Council, Granada, Spain
,
Blanca de la Fuente
2   High Performance Center of Sierra Nevada, Spanish Sport Council, Granada, Spain
,
Belen Feriche
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted 09 June 2018

Publication Date:
05 October 2018 (online)

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Abstract

We aimed to explore relationships between the force-velocity (FV) profile and the isometric muscle torque performance during a knee extension task. The FV profile (force-intercept [F0], velocity-intercept [V0], maximum power [Pmax], and FV slope) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) exercise and isometric maximum voluntary torque (MVIC) and explosive voluntary torque production were assessed in 43 participants. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded during the isometric assessments and resting muscle architecture measurements were also performed (quadriceps thickness, vastus lateralis pennation angle and fascicle length). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to assess bivariate relationships between the FV profile, isometric torque, EMG activation and muscle architecture. F0 predictions from neuromuscular measurements were assessed through multiple linear regression. Associations of F0 and Pmax with isometric torque increased from explosive to MVIC torque (r≥0.47; P<0.05). Significant associations were found between muscle architecture and F0 and Pmax (r≥0.69; P<0.05), while V0 and FV slope were unrelated (r≤0.27; P>0.05). Quadriceps thickness and VL pennation angle explained ~62% of F0 variance. In conclusion, the knee extensors maximal isometric strength and their morphological architecture are strongly related to F0 estimated from a CMJ FV profile test.

Key words

force-velocity profile - explosive torque - eate of force development - muscle architecture - electromyography
 

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