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Date of Award

Summer 2024

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department or Program Affiliation

Health and Human Development - Exercise Science

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Health and Human Development

First Advisor

Suprak, David N. (David Nathan)

Second Advisor

Brilla, Lorraine R., 1955-

Third Advisor

San Juan, Jun G.

Abstract

Background Considering the current research on the human fascial network as well as several studies showing a relationship between force development and myofascial stiffness, passive force enhancement from passive structures such as the extra-cellular matrix, the giant spring protein titin, and the muscle-tendon junction seems to be indicated during the presence of loaded eccentric actions prior to explosive concentric contractions. These effects have also been reported to be trainable. The present study investigates this relationship during upper body force production in mountain-bikers and road cyclists. Methods Fourteen (n = 14) male recreationally trained downhill and enduro mountain-bikers (MTB) 24.6yo (± 4.2yrs), 80.8kg (± 6.2kg), 180.0cm (± 5.9cm) and five (n = 5) male recreationally trained road cyclists (CON) 25.4yo (± 4.3yrs), 80.0kg (± 12.6kg), 174.3cm (± 6.6cm) performed three explosive pushups on an in-ground force platform after triceps brachii stiffness was measured using the MyotonPro device. Average Force (N), Peak Force (N), Mean Rate of Force Development (N/s), Average Net Impulse (Ns), and stiffness (Nm) were measured in both groups. Results Stiffness was significantly higher in the MTB group than in the CON group (t(16.29) = 2.79, p = 0.013, d = 0.915). Within the MTB group, a significantly strong correlation existed between Average Force (N) (Favg) and Mean Rate of Force Development (N/s) (RFDmean) (p = 0.021, r = 0.608), as well as between Peak Force (N) (Fpeak) and RFDmean (N/s) (p = 0.006, r = 0.696). Within the CON group, a significantly strong correlation existed between Favg (N) and Fpeak (N) (p = 0.005, r = 0.975), as well as between RFDmean (N/s) and stiffness (p = 0.017, r = 0.941).

Type

Text

Keywords

Fascia, Stiffness, Mountain-Biking, Off-Road Cycling, Road Cycling, Force Development, Stretch-Shortening Cycle, SSC, Elasticity, Tricep, Pushup, Myotonometry

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1456158668

Subject – LCSH

Fasciae (Anatomy); Myofascial pain syndromes; Muscle tone; Mountain biking--Physiological aspects; Cycling--Physiological aspects; Human mechanics

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/

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