Int J Sports Med 1995; 16(1): 54-60
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-972964
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Strength and Cross-Sectional Areas of Reciprocal Muscle Groups in the Upper Arm and Thigh During Adolescence

H. Kanehisa, S. Ikegawa, N. Tsunoda, T. Fukunaga
  • Faculty of Education, Toyama University, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama-city, Toyama, 930 Japan
  • Department of Sports Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153 Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
09 March 2007 (online)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and strength capability of the reciprocal muscle groups in the upper arm and thigh. Subjects were 130 boys aged 7 to 18 years; 7-9 yr aged-group (n = 30), 10-12yr (n = 30), 13- 15yr (n = 35), and 16-18 yr (n = 35). Anatomical CSAs of elbow flexors (EF), elbow extensors (EE), knee flexors (KF) and knee extensors (KE) were determined with a B-mode ultrasound apparatus. Isokinetic strength during elbow or knee extension as well as elbow or knee flexion was measured by using a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer at the preset constant velocity of 60° /s. The effect of age was associated with a significant increase in both CSA and strength with a marked increase in 13 - 15 yr. The elder aged-groups had a significantly higher ratio of strength to muscle CSA than in the lower aged-groups. The effect of age on EF/EE CSA ratio was not significant, but EF/EE strength ratio was the highest in 16 - 18 yr and the lowest in 7 - 9 yr. With advancing age, KF/KE CSA ratio had a tendency to increase, but KF/KE strength ratio remained almost unchanged. These results indicate that (1) children in the prepuberty or the early stage of puberty do not develop strength in proportion to their muscle CSA, and (2) the flexors and extensors in limbs have reciprocally different growth rates in either CSA or strength even in the same region.

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