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Muscle stiffness and rate of torque development during sprint cycling

Watsford, Mark; Ditroilo, Massimiliano; Fernández-Peña, Eneko; D'Amen, Giancarlo; Lucertini, Francesco

Authors

Mark Watsford

Massimiliano Ditroilo

Eneko Fernández-Peña

Giancarlo D'Amen

Francesco Lucertini



Abstract

PURPOSE Crank torque (CT) application and rate of CT development (RCTD) are important considerations in sprint cycling. The stiffness of the musculotendinous unit is related to the isometric rate of torque development (RTD); however, this relationship has yet to be examined in sprint cycling. METHODS Maximal isometric torque (MIT) and isometric RTD of the quadriceps were assessed in 21 trained male cyclists (28.7 +/- 9.5 yr, 1.74 +/- 0.08 m, and 67.5 +/- 7.2 kg). Unilateral musculoarticular (MA) stiffness of the quadriceps was quantified using an oscillation test. Further, the participants performed a maximal 6-s sprint to assess peak power output (POpeak), peak CT (CTpeak), peak RCTD (RCTDpeak), and the crank angles associated with CTpeak and RCTDpeak. Participants were ranked on MA stiffness properties and were divided into a relatively stiff group (SG) and a relatively compliant group (CG). RESULTS The SG displayed a significantly higher MA stiffness than the CG (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the SG reported significantly elevated MIT (27%), RTD (26%), and RCTDpeak (16%) when compared with the CG (P < 0.05), along with trends for increased POpeak (7%) and CTpeak (8%). The angles at CTpeak and RCTDpeak were 7% and 12% lower for the SG, respectively (P < 0.05). MA stiffness was significantly correlated with RCTDpeak, MIT, RTD, and POpeak. CONCLUSIONS Higher stiffness is related to superior RCTDpeak in trained cyclists during a single sprint. A significant proportion of the variance in RCTDpeak was attributed to MA stiffness (37%), which was of greater magnitude than the relationship between RCTDpeak and MIT. Furthermore, the lower CTpeak angle and RCTDpeak angle may contribute to a more rapid development of CT. Accordingly, MA stiffness seems to be an important consideration for sprint cycling.

Citation

Watsford, M., Ditroilo, M., Fernández-Peña, E., D'Amen, G., & Lucertini, F. (2010). Muscle stiffness and rate of torque development during sprint cycling. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42(7), 1324-1332. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3181ce509d

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 1, 2009
Publication Date Jul 1, 2010
Deposit Date Nov 13, 2014
Journal Medicine And Science In Sports And Exercise
Print ISSN 0195-9131
Publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 42
Issue 7
Pages 1324-1332
DOI https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3181ce509d
Keywords MUSCLE–TENDON UNIT, ELASTICITY, RATE OF FORCE PRODUCTION, ISOMETRIC TORQUE
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/467035
Publisher URL https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-201007000-00012