Muscle architecture and morphology as determinants of explosive strength

PURPOSE: Neural drive and contractile properties are well-defined physiological determinants of explosive strength, the influence of muscle architecture and related morphology on explosive strength is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between Quadriceps muscle architecture (pennation angle [Θ(P)] and fascicle length [F(L)]) and size (e.g., volume; Q(VOL)), as well as patellar tendon moment arm (PT(MA)) with voluntary and evoked explosive knee extension torque in 53 recreationally active young men. METHOD: Following familiarisation, explosive voluntary torque at 50 ms intervals from torque onset (T(50), T(100), T(150)), evoked octet at 50 ms (8 pulses at 300-Hz; evoked T(50)), as well as maximum voluntary torque, were assessed on two occasions with isometric dynamometry. B-mode ultrasound was used to assess Θ(P) and F(L) at ten sites throughout the quadriceps (2–3 sites) per constituent muscle. Muscle size (Q(VOL)) and PT(MA) were quantified using 1.5 T MRI. RESULT: There were no relationships with absolute early phase explosive voluntary torque (≤ 50 ms), but θ(P) (weak), Q(VOL) (moderate to strong) and PT(MA) (weak) were related to late phase explosive voluntary torque (≥ 100 ms). Regression analysis revealed only Q(VOL) was an independent variable contributing to the variance in T(100) (34%) and T(150) (54%). Evoked T(50) was also related to Q(VOL) and θ(P.) When explosive strength was expressed relative to MVT there were no relationships observed. CONCLUSION: It is likely that the weak associations of θ(P) and PT(MA) with late phase explosive voluntary torque was via their association with MVT/Q(VOL) rather than as a direct determinant.