Skeletal muscle profiles in elite springboard and platform divers.
This investigation determined the vastus lateralis muscle fiber composition, as well as leg power and strength, in a group of 10 world class divers. Male divers had a low mean percentage of Type I fibers (36%), which was consistent with the functional demands of their sport, whereas females had a mean value of 61%. The ratio of Type I/Type II cross-sectional fiber area was 0.95 in females and 0.82 in males. Angle-specific torque-velocity relationships, derived from Cybex testing of the knee extensors, revealed high torque values in males but not in females. The observed male-female differences have no clear explanation, unless muscle fiber composition has greater importance in the more difficult dives executed by men.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004242:Diving; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*