The influence of muscle group location and race on the relationship between muscle strength and power.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of muscle group location and racial background on the relationship between measures of muscle strength and power. It was hypothesized that both African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) males would exhibit similar strength-power relationships, but these relationships would be dependent upon muscle group location.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, comparative design was used.


METHODS
The Human Performance Laboratory at the U. of Oklahoma.


METHODS
Normal, healthy college-aged AA (n = 14) and CA (n = 15) males volunteered for this study.


METHODS
Upper and lower body strength (IRM) was assessed using a Smithpress bench press and Polaris leg press, and upper and lower body power was measured with a piezoresistive accelerometer.


RESULTS
When comparing power between upper and lower body muscle groups, both AA and CA groups exhibited similar relationships (r = 0.68 and r = 0.61, respectively), however, the relationship between upper and lower body strength was relatively stronger for the AA group (r = 0.65 vs r = 0.42). When evaluating the strength-power relationship within a given muscle group, i.e., upper or lower body, there were no racial differences, but the relationship between strength and power did differ with respect to muscle group location.


CONCLUSIONS
There were stronger relationships between measures of muscular strength and power for the lower limbs when compared to the upper body indicating the importance of muscle group location rather than racial ethnicity as a confounding factor that can affect neuromuscular force production. This information is important when attempting to characterize neuromuscular function relative to specific skills or motor sport performance, thus emphasizing the principle of specificity.
Fields
D A
DA
Department Health & Sport Sciences, U. Oklahoma, Norman 73019, USA.
Bemben
M G
MG
Mayhew
J L
JL
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D044383:Black People; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016552:Ergometry; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D009825:Oklahoma; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D044465:White People