Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differences in morphology and force/velocity relationship between Senegalese and Italian sprinters

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to investigate whether the supremacy of African sprinters is related to the leg extensor force/velocity relationship or to leg morphology, two groups of elite sprinters originating respectively from Senegal (S) and Italy (I) were compared in this respect. The groups included 13 S and 15 I male sprinters. Their mean best performances over 100 m during the preceding track and field season were 10.66 (0.3) and 10.61 (0.3) s (NS), respectively. Age, height and mass were similar in the two groups. The force/velocity relationship of the leg extensors was assessed during maximal half-squats on a guided horizontal barbell with masses of 20–140 kg added on the shoulders. Leg morphology was assessed by relating the sub-ischial length to the standing height (L/H) and by measuring the inertia in the vertical (I Z in kg.cm2), antero-posterior (I Y, kg.cm2) and medio-lateral (I X, kg.m2) planes. The two groups developed non-different force and power when lifting the heaviest loads. Inversely, the lighter the load, the lower the force and power developed by S, as compared to I (P<0.001). S demonstrated greater L/H (P<0.001), and 26% lower I Z (P<0.01), 15% lower I Y (P=0.09), and 14% lower I X (P=0.10). These results suggest that S and I sprinters were similar as regards the muscle abilities involved in slow maximal contractions. However, S demonstrated lower values in muscle abilities related to high-speed contractions, suggesting that S sprinters had a lower percentage of fast twitch fibres. This is likely to be compensated for by the lower level of internal work due to longer and lighter legs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe T, Brown JB, Brechue WF (1999) Architectural characteristics of muscle in black and white college football players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31(1):1448–1452

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ama PFM, Simoneau JA, Boulay MR, Serresse O, Thériault G, Bouchard C (1986) Skeletal muscle characteristics in sedentary Black and Caucasian males. J Appl Physiol 61(5):1758–1761

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ama PFM, Lagasse P, Bouchard C, Simoneau J-A (1990) Anaerobic performances in Black and White subjects. Med Sci Sports Exerc 22(4):508–511

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson T (1996) Biomechanics and running economy. Sports Med 22:76–89

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ashe A (1993) A hard road to glory: a history of the African American athlete. Amistad Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosco C, Luhtanen P, Komi PV (1983) A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping. Eur J Appl Physiol 50:273–282

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bosco C, Belli A, Astruas M, Tihany J, Pozzo R, Kellis S, Tsarpela O, Foti C, Manno R, Tranquilli C (1995) A dynamometer for evaluation of dynamic muscle work. Eur J Appl Physiol 50:273–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Bret C, Rahmani A, Dufour AB, Messonnier L, Lacour J-R (2002) Leg strength and stiffness as ability factors in 100 m sprint running. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 42(3):274–281

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cavagna GA, Kaneko M (1977) Mechanical work and efficiency in level walking and running. J Physiol (Lond) 268:467–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Eveleth PB, Tanner JM (1976) Worldwide variation in human growth. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

  • Fédération Française d’Athlétisme (1998) Règlements des épreuves nationales estivales et calendrier international et national. Fédération Française d’Athlétisme, Paris

  • Hautier CA, Linossier MT, Belli A, Lacour JR, Arsac LM (1996) Optimal velocity for maximal power production in non-isokinetic cycling is related to muscle fibre type composition. Eur J Appl Physiol 74:114–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessy LC, Watson AWS (1994) The interference effects of training for strength and endurance simultaneously. J Strength Condition Res 8:12–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Himes JH (1988) Racial variation in physique and body composition. Can J Sports Sci 13:117–126

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann K (1971) Stature, leg length, and stride frequency. Track Technique 46:1463–1469

    Google Scholar 

  • Hortobagyi T, Katch FI, LaChance PF (1989) Interrelations among various measures of upper body strength assessed by different contraction modes. Evidence for a general strength development. Eur J Appl Physiol 58:749–755

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaneko M, Ito A, Fuchimoto T, Shishikura Y, Toyooka J (1985) Influence of running speed on the mechanical efficiency of sprinters and distance runners. In: Winter DA et al. (eds) Biomechanics IXb. Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, Ill., pp 307–312

  • Kersting UG (1999) Biomechanical analysis of the sprinting events. Men’s 100 m. In: G-P Brüggemann, D Koszewski, H Müller (eds) International Athletic Foundation/IAAF biomechanical project, Athens 1997, final report. Meyer and Meyer Sport (UK), pp 12–72

  • Malina RM (1988) Racial/ethnic variation in the motor development and performance of American children. Can J Sport Sci 13:136–143

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin PE (1985) Mechanical and physiological responses to lower extremity loading during running. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:427–433

    Google Scholar 

  • Mero A (1988) Force-time characteristics and running velocity of male sprinters during acceleration phase of sprinting. Res Q 59:94–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Mero A, Luhtanen P, Viitasalo JT, Komi PV (1981) Relationships between the maximal running velocity, muscle fiber characteristics, force production and force relaxation of sprinters. Scand J Sports Sci 3:16–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Mero A, Komi PV, Gregor RJ (1992) Biomechanics of sprint running. Sports Med 13:376–392

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers MJ, Steudel K (1985) Effect of limb mass and its distribution on the energetic cost of running. J Exp Biol 116:363–373

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson JR, Thomas JK (1996) Research methods in physical education, 3rd edn. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill.

  • Rahmani A, Dalleau G, Viale F, Hautier CA, Lacour JR (2000) Validity and reliability of a kinematic device for measuring the force developed during squatting. J Appl Biomech 16:26–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Ropret R, Kukolj M, Ugarkovic D, Matavulj D, Jaric S (1998) Effects of arm and leg loading on sprint performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 77:547–550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rusko H, Bosco C (1987) Metabolic response of endurance athletes to training with added load. Eur J Appl Physiol 56:412–418

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanner JM (1964) The physique of the Olympic athletes. George Allen and Unwin, London

  • Taylor NAS, Cotter JD, Stanley SN, Marshall RN (1991) Functional torque-velocity and power/velocity characteristics of elite athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 62:116–121

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thorstensson A, Grimby G, Karlsson J (1976) Force-velocity relations and fiber composition in human knee extensor muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol 40:12–16

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vandewalle H, Peres G, Heller J, Panel J, Monod H (1987) Force-velocity relationship and maximal power on a cycle ergometer. Correlation with the height of a vertical jump. Eur J Appl Physiol 56:650–656

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkov NI, Lapin VI (1979) Analysis of the velocity curve in sprint running. Med Sci sports Exerc 11:332–337

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weyand PG, Sternlight DB, Bellizzi MJ, Wright S (2000) Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements. J Appl Physiol 89:1991–1999

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Young W, McLean B, Ardagna J (1995) Relationship between strength qualities and sprinting performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 35:13–19

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zatsiorsky V, Seluyanov V (1985) Estimation of the mass and inertia characteristics of the human body by means of the best predictive regression equations. In: Winter DA et al. (eds) Biomechanics IXb. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill., pp 233–239

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Groupe de Physiologie et Biomécanique de l’Appareil Locomoteur, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Département STAPS, Université du Maine, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085, Le Mans Cedex 9, France

    Abderrehmane Rahmani

  2. Laboratoire de Physiologie de l’Exercice, GIP Exercice, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France

    Jean-Rene Lacour

  3. , Via Capoluogo 30, 12040, Santo Stefano Roero, Italy

    Elio Locatelli

Authors
  1. Abderrehmane Rahmani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elio Locatelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean-Rene Lacour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abderrehmane Rahmani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rahmani, A., Locatelli, E. & Lacour, JR. Differences in morphology and force/velocity relationship between Senegalese and Italian sprinters. Eur J Appl Physiol 91, 399–405 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0989-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0989-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation