title: Influence of musculo-tendinous stiffness of the plantar ankle flexor muscles upon maximal power output on a cycle ergometre.
abstract: The importance of maximal voluntary torque (T (MVC)), maximal rate of torque development (MRTD) and musculo-tendinous stiffness of the triceps surae for maximal power output on a cycle ergometre (Pmax) was studied in 21 healthy subjects by studying the relationships between maximal cycling power related to body mass (Pmax BM(-1)) with T (MVC), MRTD and different indices of musculo-tendinous stiffness of the ankle flexor. Pmax BM(-1) was calculated from the data of an all-out force-velocity test on a Monark cycle ergometre. T (MVC) and MRTD were measured on a specific ankle ergometre. Musculo-tendinous stiffness was estimated by means of quick releases at 20, 40, 60 and 80% T (MVC) on the same ankle ergometre. Pmax BM(-1) was significantly and positively correlated with MRTD related to body mass but the positive correlation between Pmax BM(-1) and T (MVC) did not reach the significance level (0.05). Pmax BM(-1) was significantly and positively correlated with the estimation of stiffness at 40% T (MVC) (S(0.4)), but not with stiffness at 20, 60 and 80% T (MVC). The results of the present study suggest that maximal power output during cycling is significantly correlated with the level of musculo-tendinous stiffness which corresponds to torque range around peak torque at optimal pedal rate. However, the low coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.203) between Pmax BM(-1) and S (0.4) BM(-1) suggested that Pmax BM(-1) largely depended on other factors than the musculo-tendinous stiffness of the only plantar flexors.
authors.affiliation: CeRSM, E.A. 2931, Equipe de Physiologie et de Biomécanique du Mouvement, UFR STAPS, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre-La Défense, 200 avenue de la république, 92000, Nanterre, France. tarak.driss@u-paris10.fr
authors.forename: Tarak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Driss
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambertz
authors.forename: Majdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rouis
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vandewalle
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult