Abstract
The rate of force development (RFD) is vital for power athletes. Lean body mass (LBM) is considered to be an essential contributor to RFD, nevertheless high RFD may be achieved by athletes with either high or low LBM. The aim of the study was to describe the relationship between lower-body LBM and RFD, and to compare RFD in taekwondo athletes and track and field (T&F) throwers, the latter having higher LBM when compared to taekwondo athletes. Nine taekwondo athletes and nine T&F throwers were evaluated for countermovement jumping, isometric leg press and leg extension RFD, vastus lateralis (VL), and medial gastrocnemius muscle architecture and body composition. Lower body LBM was correlated with RFD 0–250 ms (r = 0.81, p = 0.016). Taekwondo athletes had lower LBM and jumping power per LBM. RFD was similar between groups at 30–50 ms, but higher for throwers at 80–250 ms. RFD adjusted for VL thickness was higher in taekwondo athletes at 30 ms, but higher in throwers at 200–250 ms. These results suggest that lower body LBM is correlated with RFD in power trained athletes. RFD adjusted for VL thickness might be more relevant to evaluate in power athletes with low LBM, while late RFD might be more relevant to evaluate in athletes with higher LBM.
Highlights
Explosive strength is of great importance for performance in several power-demanding sports, such as sprints, long and high jumps, athletic throws, and martial arts
Even when countermovement jump (CMJ) power was expressed relative to lean body mass, taekwondo athletes performed lower than throwers (28.4%, p = 0.015, η2 = 0.335, Table 1)
The main findings of the present study were that (1) lower body lean mass was significantly correlated with rate of force development (RFD) in power-trained athletes having large lean body mass differences, (2) taekwondo athletes had greater early RFD when this was expressed relative to total lean mass or vastus lateralis muscle thickness, as compared to track and field throwers, and (3) throwers performed better in late RFD when compared to taekwondo athletes both in absolute values as well as relative to total lean mass or vastus lateralis thickness
Summary
Explosive strength is of great importance for performance in several power-demanding sports, such as sprints, long and high jumps, athletic throws, and martial arts. One of the most effective kicks in taekwondo, the roundhouse kick to the head, is developed between in approximately 250 ms (time from the instant that the striking foot leaves the floor until it reaches the objective and achieves the maximum impact force) [4,5,6]. This kick is characterized as a high velocity unloaded movement, in contrast to track and field throws where a relatively heavy external throwing implement is used. RFD in taekwondo athletes has not been described before
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