Miller et al MSSE 2020 TheMuscleMorphologyOfEliteSprintRunning_Accepted.pdf (645.44 kB)
Download fileThe muscle morphology of elite sprint running
journal contribution
posted on 2020-10-12, 13:26 authored by Robert Miller, Thomas G Balshaw, Garry J Massey, Sumiaki Maeo, Marcel B Lanza, Michael Johnston, Sam AllenSam Allen, Jonathan FollandJonathan FollandThe influence of muscle morphology and strength characteristics on sprint running performance, especially at elite level, is unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the differences in muscle volumes and strength between male elite sprinters, sub-elite sprinters, and untrained controls; and assess the relationships of muscle volumes and strength with sprint performance. METHODS: Five elite sprinters (100 m seasons best [SBE100]: 10.10 ± 0.07 s), 26 sub-elite sprinters (SBE100: 10.80 ± 0.30s) and 11 untrained control participants underwent: 3T magnetic resonance imaging scans to determine the volume of 23 individual lower limb muscles/compartments and 5 functional muscle groups; and isometric strength assessment of lower body muscle groups. RESULTS: Total lower body muscularity was distinct between the groups (controls < sub-elite +20% < elite +48%). The hip extensors exhibited the largest muscle group differences/relationships (elite, +32% absolute and +15% relative [per kg] volume vs sub-elite; explaining 31-48% of the variability in SBE100), whereas the plantarflexors showed no differences between sprint groups. Individual muscle differences showed pronounced anatomical specificity (elite vs sub-elite, absolute volume range +57% to -9%). Three hip muscles were consistently larger in elite vs. sub-elite (TFL, sartorius, gluteus maximus; absolute +45-57% and relative volume +25-37%), and gluteus maximus volume alone explained 34-44% of the variance in SBE100. Isometric strength of several muscle groups was greater in both sprint groups than controls, but similar for the sprint groups and not related to SBE100. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the pronounced inhomogeneity and anatomically specific muscularity required for fast sprinting, and provides novel, robust evidence that greater hip extensor and gluteus maximus volumes discriminate between elite and sub-elite sprinters and are strongly associated with sprinting performance.
Funding
UK Athletics and the UK Strength and Conditioning Association
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Published in
Medicine and Science in Sports and ExerciseVolume
53Issue
4Pages
804 - 815Publisher
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)Version
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© American College of Sports MedicinePublisher statement
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002522.Acceptance date
2020-09-14Publication date
2020-10-01Copyright date
2021ISSN
0195-9131eISSN
1530-0315Publisher version
Language
- en