Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(12): 1005-1009
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1312586
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Assessment of Elbow Extensors Endurance in Young Athletes

J. Z. Popadic Gacesa
1   Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
,
A. Nedeljkovic
2   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, The Research Center, Belgrade, Serbia
,
N. Ponorac
3   Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
,
R. Krulanovic
4   Association of Centers for Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, Novi Sad, Serbia
,
N. G. Grujic
1   Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 26 March 2012

Publication Date:
15 June 2012 (online)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare different endurance parameters of elbow extensors between senior and junior athletes. A group of 23 junior (16.2±0.8years, BMI 21.8±2.9 kg/m2) and 16 senior athletes (23.1±6.2y, BMI 23.6±4.2 kg/m2) volunteered for the study. Strength measurements were performed on the isoacceleration dynamometer (5 sets of 10 maximal elbow extensions, 1 min resting period between each set). The following strength parameters were measured: maximal strength (MS), endurance strength (ES), fatigue rate (FR) and decrease in strength (DS). Both arms triceps brachii muscle mass (MM) was calculated using a series of cross-sectional images of upper arms obtained by the MRI. Triceps brachii muscle mass for both arms in senior athletes showed significantly higher values (1286.9±323.7 g) compared to young athletes (948.9±171.1 g, p<0.01). ES was 50% higher in seniors, while FR was 10% higher in juniors. MS was 35% higher in seniors, but no difference was discovered when this parameter was expressed in relation to muscle mass. DS was significantly different between juniors and seniors, except in absolute values. No significant correlation was found between triceps brachii muscle mass and FR or DS. Different values of strength decrease throughout multiple contractions could be attributed to different characteristics of various sports.

 
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