Abstract
We aimed to characterize and compare elite strength athletes and physique
athletes and to investigate potential sex differences and the contribution of
muscle size to strength in this unique population. We examined male and female
strength athletes (n=12), physique athletes (n=13) and non-trained
controls (n=14). Anthropometry, maximal strength and strength endurance,
and muscle cross-sectional area (ultrasound) were measured. Statistical
significance was set at p<0.05. Although strength athletes excelled in
their own sports, generic dynamic (leg press and arm curl one repetition
maximum) or isometric knee extension torque did not differ compared to physique
athletes. However, strength athletes had better muscle power in vertical jumps,
while the cross-sectional area of biceps brachii was higher and body fat was
lower in physique athletes. Males were more muscular and stronger, whereas
females performed more repetitions in a multiple-set leg press protocol.
Athletes had better strength/cross-sectional area ratios than controls only in
complex tasks, but not in simple strength tasks. Partial correlation analysis
with sex and training background as covariates showed that the cross-sectional
area moderately explained the variance in maximal strength. In conclusion,
strength athletes and physique athletes differ in sport-specific muscle size and
power. In these athletes, the muscle size contributes to muscle strength.
Finally, females have better strength endurance than males, independent of the
training background.
Keywords
muscle size - muscle hypertrophy - strength - exercise - muscle fatigue - athlete
