Influence of joint angle on muscle fascicle dynamics and rate of torque development during isometric explosive contractions

Abstract

This study investigated how joint angle influences fascicle shortening dynamics of gastrocnemius medialis (GM) during explosive contractions and the resulting impact on rate of torque development (RTD). Sixteen participants performed six sets of five maximal explosive voluntary isometric plantar flexions at -20°, -10°, 0° (neutral position), 10°, 20°, and 30° of ankle angle and five no-load ballistic plantar flexions. RTD assessed over all time windows (from 0 to 200 ms) was significantly lower in extreme plantar flexed (≥20°) and dorsiflexed (-20°) positions compared with -10, 0° (475 ± 105 N·m·s-1), and 10°. At these neutral positions, RTD was maximal and muscle fascicles mainly operated over the plateau of the force-length relationship. At 0°, fascicle shortening velocity peaked at 9.26 ± 2.85 cm/s (i.e., 28.2% of maximal shortening velocity measured during no-load ballistic condition). At 112 ms after RTD onset, fascicle force reached 208 ± 78 N (i.e., 85.6% of the theoretical maximum force at the corresponding shortening velocity) and was thereafter comprised within the 95% confidence interval of the force-velocity curve. This clearly indicates that muscle force reached the maximal force that accounts for the fascicle shortening velocity. These findings suggest that the dynamic behavior of muscle fascicles, and the associated fascicle shortening velocity, may influence the rapid force-generating capacity mainly from 100 ms of RTD onset. The present study provides important information for better understanding of the determinants of human muscle performance during explosive tasks.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ankle angle influences the operating muscle fascicle lengths of gastrocnemius medialis and the rate of torque development during explosive isometric plantar flexions. The rate of torque development peaks in neutral angles where muscle fascicles shorten over the plateau of the force-length relationship. When fascicles operate over the plateau of the force-length relationship (neutral ankle positions), the force-velocity properties represent a limiting factor for the rapid force-generating capacity from 100 ms after the onset of explosive contractions.