Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the specific muscles that may contribute to sprint performance. Eleven female 100-m sprinters and nine non-sprinters volunteered. Thigh muscle volume (MV) was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images obtained from the spina iliaca anterior-superior to below the distal end of the femur. The MV of the adductors, quadriceps and hamstrings was calculated. Evidence for the null/alternative hypothesis was provided thorough the calculation of Bayes Factors (BF10). Differences represented as median δ (95% credible interval). Absolute MVs in the quadriceps [1.287 (0.315, 2.39), BF10: 14.3], hamstrings [3.032 (1.886, 4.482), BF10: 9487.4] and adductors [3.22 (1.994, 4.654), BF10: 23,360.2] were greater in sprinters than in non-sprinters. This was also observed when MV was normalized to body mass (cm3/kg). Absolute and relative MVs in the adductor longus, the adductor brevis, the adductor magnus, pectineus, and gracilis were also greater in the sprinters. However, percentage of component adductor relative to total adductors MV appeared similar between the two groups. There was no evidence for a correlation between sprint time and quadriceps, hamstrings and adductors MV relative to body mass. Within the adductors, there was evidence for a correlation between sprint time and adductor brevis MV relative to body mass [r = −0.652, BF10: 3.028, δ −0.548 (−0.870, 0.040)]. Although the credible interval was wide, our results suggest that the adductor brevis may contribute to sprint running performance in female sprinters. This may be related, in part, to supporting the flexion and medial rotation of the thigh.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower extremities and trunk muscles in sprinters has been studied by several researchers [1] [2] [3] [4] in an effort to examine the specific muscles that contribute to sprint running performance
There was no evidence for a correlation between sprint time and quadriceps, hamstrings and adductors muscle volume (MV) relative to body mass
These findings suggest that the psoas major and gluteus maximus, which act as flexion or extension of the thigh, may be specific muscles that contribute to sprint running performance
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower extremities and trunk muscles in sprinters has been studied by several researchers [1] [2] [3] [4] in an effort to examine the specific muscles that contribute to sprint running performance (i.e. best 30 - 100 m dash time or maximal running speed). A study by Sugisaki et al [4] reported correlations between the season best 100 m time and absolute muscle volume of the psoas major, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius plus minimus, and hamstrings, while other muscles include adductors which did not correlate to the performance in 31 Japanese male sprinters. These findings suggest that the psoas major and gluteus maximus, which act as flexion or extension of the thigh, may be specific muscles that contribute to sprint running performance. If a correlation does exist, this might suggest an important role of that particular muscle during sprinting and may offer a target of emphasis for future researchers and practitioners
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