Relationship between quadriceps muscle fiber architecture and lunges performance

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to ascertain the relationship between the architectures of the lower body muscles and lunges performance. Thirty recreationally active, untrained males (mean age: 17±1.25 years) were recruited and participated in two testing sessions: anthropometrics and muscle architecture, and one-repetition maximum (RM) lunges test. B-mode ultrasonography was used to assess muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length in the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF). The 1RM lunges performance was estimated using multiple-RM lunges testing. The relationship between lower body muscle architectures and lunges performance was studied using correlation analysis. Overall, lunges performance was positively correlated with muscle thickness and fascicle length of all muscles. Pennation angle, on the other hand, was shown to be inversely associated to lunges performance. The results of this research suggested that having a thicker, longer fascicle length, and a lower pennation angle of the lower body quadriceps muscle is important for improving lunges performance, which is one of the most specific motions in lower body strength development and enhanced performance.