title: Analysis of the response speed of musculature of the knee in professional male and female volleyball players.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normalized response speed (Vrn) of the knee musculature (flexor and extensor) in high competitive level volleyball players using tensiomyography (TMG) and to analyze the muscular response of the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) in accordance with the specific position they play in their teams. One hundred and sixty-six players (83 women and 83 men) were evaluated. They belonged to eight teams in the Spanish women's superleague and eight in the Spanish men's superleague. The use of Vrn allows avoiding possible sample imbalances due to anatomical and functional differences and demands. We found differences between Vrn in each of the muscles responsible for extension (VM, RF, and VL) and flexion (BF) regardless of the sex. Normalized response speed differences seem to be larger in setters, liberos and outside players compared to middle blockers and larger in males when compared to females. These results of Vrn might respond to the differences in the physical and technical demands of each specific position, showing an improved balance response of the knee extensor and flexor musculature in male professional volleyball players.
authors.affiliation: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, s/n, Edificio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Ruiz
authors.affiliation: European University of Madrid, Calle Rio Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diez-Vega
authors.affiliation: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, s/n, Edificio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Matoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 43011, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernandez-del-Valle
authors.affiliation: University of País Vasco, Carretera Lasarte s/n, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sagastume
authors.affiliation: European University of Madrid, Calle Rio Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Molina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D054798:Volleyball; D055815:Young Adult