Journal of Applied Physiology AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
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J Appl Physiol (April 28, 2005). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01305.2004
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Submitted on November 19, 2004
Accepted on April 19, 2005

Muscle performance during maximal isometric and dynamic contractions is influenced by the stiffness of the tendinous structures

Jens Bojsen-Moller1*, S. Peter Magnusson1, Lars Raundahl Rasmussen1, Michael Kjaer1, and Per Aagaard1

1 Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen/Team Danmark Test Center, Copenhagen, Denmark

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jbm01{at}bbh.hosp.dk.

Contractile force is transmitted to the skeleton through tendons and aponeuroses, and although it is appreciated that the mechano-characteristics of these tissues plays an important role for movement performance with respect to energy storage, the association between tendon mechanical properties and the contractile muscle output during high-force movement tasks remains elusive. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relation between the mechanical properties of the connective tissue and muscle performance in maximal isometric and dynamic muscle actions. 16 trained males participated in the study. The mechanical properties of the vastus lateralis (VL) tendon-aponeurosis complex were assessed using ultrasonography. Maximal isometric knee extensor force and rate of torque development (RTD) was determined. Dynamic performance was assessed by maximal squat jumps (SQJ) and counter-movement jumps (CMJ) on a force plate. From the vertical ground reaction force, maximal jump height, jump power and force/velocity related determinants of jump performance were obtained. RTD was positively related to the stiffness of the tendinous structures (r=0.55, P<0.05), indicating that tendon mechanical properties may account for up to 30% of the variance in RTD. A correlation was observed between stiffness and maximal jump height in SQJ and CMJ (r=0.64, P<0.05 and r=0.55, P<0.05). Power, force and velocity parameters obtained during the jumps were significantly correlated to tendon stiffness. These data indicate that muscle output in high-force isometric and dynamic muscle actions is positively related to the stiffness of the tendinous structures possibly by means of a more effective force transmission from the contractile elements to the bone.




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