Human quadriceps cross‐sectional area, torque and neural activation during 6 months strength training

Abstract

Quadriceps muscle and fibre cross‐sectional areas (CSA), torque and neural activation were studied in seven healthy males during 6 months of weight training on alternate days with six series of eight unilateral leg extensions at 80% of one repetition maximum. After training, the quadriceps cross‐sectional area increased by 18.8±7.2% (PPPPPP<0.03) but no change in time to maximum IEMG was observed. In conclusion, strength training of the quadriceps results in a variable hypertrophy of its components without affecting its angle‐torque relation. The increase in torque per unit area, in the absence of changes in IEMG, may indicate changes in muscle architecture. An increase in muscle‐tendon stiffness may account for the decrease in time to peak torque.