The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gender and
chronic hyperactivity (training) on musculo-tendinous stiffness and joint
flexibility and to examine in vivo whether those
stiffness parameters were correlated. Thus, maximal isometric voluntary
contraction, series elastic stiffness during wrist flexion and wrist extension,
and wrist flexibility were investigated in healthy sedentary subjects and in
women volley-ball players. Maximal isometric contraction and flexibility were
measured classically with specific ergometers. Moreover, muscle stiffness
measurements were performed thanks to the use of quick-release movements of the
wrist, which had previously been maintained in isometric contraction, allowing
the calculation of a musculo-tendinous stiffness index. Despite significant
differences in maximal voluntary contraction between wrist flexors and wrist
extensors for each of the groups tested and between men and women, no
significant gender, function or training effects were found upon
musculo-tendinous stiffness indices. Flexibility assessments in both women
groups demonstrated that active to passive ratios for wrist flexion remain
unchanged whereas a significant training-induced increase for wrist extension
was observed. Moreover, no significant relationship between women active joint
flexibility and musculo-tendinous stiffness indices was found (r²:
0.0004 - 0.0319, p > 0.05) whatever the
muscle function tested. Collectively, the present results suggest that neural
factors rather than morphological changes (i. e. muscle architecture and
fiber composition) may explain predominantly the functional consequences
observed in wrist extension associated with volley-ball training. Moreover,
both musculo-tendinous stiffness and joint flexibility give different
information about wrist functional status.
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