Muscle Contraction Adaptations in Top-Level Karate Athletes Assessed by Tensiomyography

Velimir Jeknić (), Milivoj Dopsaj, Lazar Toskić and Nenad Koropanovski
Additional contact information
Velimir Jeknić: Palms Sports, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 111188, United Arab Emirates
Milivoj Dopsaj: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia
Lazar Toskić: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University in Priština-Kosovska Mitrovica, 38218 Leposavić, Serbia
Nenad Koropanovski: Department of Criminalistics, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Background: This paper aimed to compare the involuntary stimulated neuromuscular response of thigh muscles in top-level karate athletes and recreational groups. Methods: The study included 13 male karate athletes (KAs) and 14 non-athlete male individuals (NAs). Tensiomyographic (TMG) measurements were obtained from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST). Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between KAs and NAs in knee extensor/flexor delay time (Td), contraction time (Tc), total contraction time (Tct), maximal radial displacement of the muscle belly (Dm) and rate of muscle tension development (RMTD). On a group level, KA dominant-leg extensors and flexors and also non-dominant-leg knee flexors had significant differences when compared to NA. Tct is a TMG parameter in which the KAs and NAs differ the most in the case of the knee extensors, while flexor muscles differ the most in the RMTD parameter. Conclusions: The lower Tct values indicate an improved ability of top-level karateka to make fast contractions of the agonist muscles. KAs’ higher RMTD values suggest on strength characteristics needed in breaking actions of the antagonist muscles. Existence of contraction-relaxation-contraction neuromuscular pattern in the RF muscle suggests on implementation of training strategies that involves both rapid muscle contractions and relaxations.

Keywords: TMG; contraction time; neuromuscular changes; thigh muscles; combat sports; sport-specific adaptations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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