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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-01-2019 | Original Article

A novel method to assess rate of force relaxation: reliability and comparisons with rate of force development across various muscles

Authors: Ryan M. Mathern, Mitchel Anhorn, Mehmet Uygur

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Purpose

The ability to generate quick submaximal muscle forces followed by quick relaxations is essential for various athletic and daily tasks. While force generation has been studied extensively, the studies of force relaxation are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to develop the rate of force relaxation scaling factor (RFR-SF) as a kinetic variable to assess the ability to relax submaximal muscle forces quickly.

Methods

Thirteen young adults performed rapid isometric force pulses to various submaximal levels in two different sessions. We compared RFR-SF with rate of development scaling factor (RFD-SF) in grip force muscles (GF), elbow (EE), and knee extensors (KE) and tested its reliability. Both RFD-SF and RFR-SF were calculated as the slopes of the linear relationship between peak forces and the corresponding peak rates of force development and relaxation, respectively.

Results

RFR-SFs were mainly different among the tested muscle groups (GF 8.22 ± 0.76 1/s; EE 7.64 ± 0.92 1/s; KE 6.01 ± 1.75 1/s) and there was no correlation among them (all p > 0.05). Within each tested muscle group, RFR-SF was lower than RFD-SF (GF 9.29 ± 1.05 1/s; EE 10.75 ± 0.87 1/s; KE 9.66 ± 0.89 1/s; all p < 0.001). The reliability of RFR-SF was moderate to good across the tested muscles (ICCs between 0.54 and 0.76 and all CVs < 15%).

Conclusion

The RFR-SF is a clinically relevant kinetic variable that can reliably quantify the ability to relax a muscle force quickly. Future studies should assess both RFD-SF and RFR-SF as they represent different properties of the neuromuscular system.

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Title: A novel method to assess rate of force relaxation: reliability and comparisons with rate of force development across various muscles
Authors: Ryan M. Mathern
Mitchel Anhorn
Mehmet Uygur
Publication date: 01-01-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4024-7

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

A novel method to assess rate of force relaxation: reliability and comparisons with rate of force development across various muscles

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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