Association of the Explosive Strength of Knee Extensors with Skeletal Muscle Mass, Peak Torque, and Joint Angular Velocity

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of explosive strength with muscle mass and muscle function measured using traditional methods such as peak torque (PT) and joint angular velocity (PAV). Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Twenty-nine healthy adults (14 males and 15 females) participated in this study. Body mass index and appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The explosive strength of the knee extensors was evaluated by measuring the rate of torque development (RTD) and rate of velocity development (RVD). RTD was analyzed by dividing it into early (0-50 ms) and late (100-200 ms) muscle contraction phases. In addition, PT and PAV were measured as traditional methods for assessing muscle function. Results: According to regression analysis, PAV accounts for 24.7% and 66.9% of the variance of RTD 0-50 (p=0.006) and RVD (p<0.001), respectively. On the other hand, ASMI (p=0.035) and isometric PT (p=0.001) explained 49.2% of the RTD 100-200. Conclusions: Early RTD is mainly predicted by PAV, which is thought to be a result of muscle fiber type. Therefore, PAV presents the possibility of an alternative method to evaluate explosive performance. Late RTD seems to be related to ASMI or isometric PT. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to musculoskeletal rehabilitation and evaluation in that they revealed factors contributing to early and late muscle contraction.