The DOI matches its Crossref record; 63 of the 63 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Inter-individual variability in the adaptation of human muscle specific tension to progressive resistance training
Abstract
Considerable variation exists between people in the muscle response to resistance training, but there are numerous ways muscle might adapt to overload that might explain this variable response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the range of responses concerning the training-induced change in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) knee joint torque, quadriceps femoris (QF) maximum muscle force (F), physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and specific tension (F/PCSA). It was hypothesized that the variable change in QF specific tension between individuals would be less than that of MVC. Fifty-three untrained young men performed progressive leg-extension training three times a week for 9 weeks. F was determined from MVC torque, voluntary muscle activation level, antagonist muscle co-activation and patellar tendon moment arm. QF specific tension was established by dividing F by QF PCSA, which was calculated from the ratio of QF muscle volume to muscle fascicle length. MVC torque increased by 26 ± 11% (P < 0.0001; range -1 to 52%), while F increased by 22 ± 11% (P < 0.0001; range -1 to 44%). PCSA increased by 6 ± 4% (P < 0.001; range -3 to 18%) and specific tension increased by 17 ± 11% (P < 0.0001; range -5 to 39%). In conclusion, training-induced changes in F and PCSA varied substantially between individuals, giving rise to greater inter-individual variability in the specific tension response compared to that of MVC. Furthermore, it appears that the change in specific tension is responsible for the variable change in MVC.
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“While ST has been quantified using a relatively crude calculation of external force/torque divided by ACSA, a more valid approach involves accounting for antagonist torque and moment arm to calculate agonist muscle force that can be expressed in proportion to PCSA to determine the ST of the agonist muscle.”
From What makes long-term resistance-trained individuals so strong? A comparison of skeletal muscle morphology, architecture, and joint mechanics (2020) · cites this paper as [30]
In the citing paper
“Erskine et al. (30), reported average isometric strength gains ~2-fold greater than we have found [31% vs. 11.5–18.2% (31, 32)]”
From What makes long-term resistance-trained individuals so strong? A comparison of skeletal muscle morphology, architecture, and joint mechanics (2020) · cites this paper as [30]
In the citing paper
“after short-term (9 wk) RT maximum voluntary specific tension has been reported to increase by 20% (30)”
From What makes long-term resistance-trained individuals so strong? A comparison of skeletal muscle morphology, architecture, and joint mechanics (2020) · cites this paper as [30]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Erskine, R. M., Jones, D. A., Williams, A. G., Stewart, C. E., & Degens, H.
- Affiliations
- Loughborough University (GB)
- Manchester Metropolitan University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Erskine, Robert M.
- Venue
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Published
- 2010-08-12
- Volume
- 110
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1117-1125
- ISSN
- 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-6319
- 1439-6327
- OpenAlex
- W2035252552
- Cited by
- 124
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- e-space (Manchester Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Keywords
- interindividual variability, resistance training adaptation, quadriceps, physiological cross-sectional area, muscle force, voluntary activation, antagonist coactivation, fascicle length, untrained young men
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Adolescent, Adult, Humans, Individuality, Male, Muscle Tonus, Organ Specificity, Time Factors, Observer Variation, Patellar Ligament, Muscle, Skeletal, Torque, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training, Young Adult
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