Gastrocnemius muscle specific force in boys and men

Gastrocnemius muscle specific force in boys and men

Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement and Health (IRM), Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager, Cheshire, United Kingdom Submitted 29 June 2007 ; accepted in final form 10 December 2007 The aim of this study was to assess whether the in vivo specific force and arch...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 104; no. 2; pp. 469 - 474
Main Authors: Morse, Christopher I, Tolfrey, Keith, Thom, Jeanette M, Vassilopoulos, Vasilios, Maganaris, Constantinos N, Narici, Marco V
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Bethesda, MD Am Physiological Soc 01-02-2008
American Physiological Society
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Aging - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Boys
Child
Electromyography
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human mechanics
Humans
Kinesiology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Men
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Muscular system
Organ Size
Puberty
Torque
Ultrasonography
Human
Vertebrata
Muscle strength
Mammalia
pennation angle
Gastrocnemius muscle
fascicle length
Striated muscle
muscle architecture
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement and Health (IRM), Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager, Cheshire, United Kingdom Submitted 29 June 2007 ; accepted in final form 10 December 2007 The aim of this study was to assess whether the in vivo specific force and architectural characteristics of the lateral gastrocnemius (GL) muscle of early pubescent boys ( n = 11, age = 10.9 ± 0.3 yr, Tanner stage 2) differed from those of adult men ( n = 12, age = 25.3 ± 4.4 yr). Plantarflexor torque was 55% lower in the boys (77.4 ± 21.4 N·m) compared with the adults (175.6 ± 31.7 N·m, P < 0.01). Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), determined in vivo using ultrasonography and MRI, was 52% smaller in the boys ( P < 0.01). No difference was found in pennation angle, or in the ratio of fascicle length ( L f ) to muscle length between the boys and men. Moment arm length was 25% smaller in the boys ( P < 0.01). Antagonist coactivation, assessed using surface EMG on the dorsiflexors, was not different between the boys and men (11.8 ± 6.7% and 13.5 ± 5.8%, respectively). Surprisingly, GL force normalized to PCSA (specific force) was significantly higher (21%) in the boys than in the men (13.1 ± 2.0 vs. 15.9 ± 2.7 N/cm 2 , P < 0.05). This finding could not be explained by differences in moment arm length, muscle activation, or architecture, and other factors, such as tendinous characteristics and/or changes in moment arm length with contraction, may be held responsible. These observations warrant further investigation. pennation angle; fascicle length; muscle architecture Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: M. Narici, Institute for Biophysical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan Univ., Alsager Campus, Hassall Rd., Alsager, Cheshire ST7 2HL, UK (e-mail: m.narici{at}mmu.ac.uk )
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ObjectType-Article-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:8750-7587
1522-1601
DOI:10.1152/japplphysiol.00697.2007