Skip to main content
Log in

Inter-individual variability in the adaptation of human muscle specific tension to progressive resistance training

European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Adams GR, Hather BM, Baldwin KM, Dudley GA (1993) Skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain composition and resistance training. J Appl Physiol 74:911–915

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander RM, Vernon A (1975) The dimensions of knee and ankle muscles and the forces they exert. J Hum Mov Studies 1:115–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Baecke JA, Burema J, Frijters JE (1982) A short questionnaire for the measurement of habitual physical activity in epidemiological studies. Am J Clin Nutr 36:936–942

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baltzopoulos V (1995) A videofluoroscopy method for optical distortion correction and measurement of knee-joint kinematics. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 10:85–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bottinelli R, Canepari M, Pellegrino MA, Reggiani C (1996) Force-velocity properties of human skeletal muscle fibres: myosin heavy chain isoform and temperature dependence. J Physiol 495:573–586

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bray MS, Hagberg JM, Perusse L, Rankinen T, Roth SM, Wolfarth B, Bouchard C (2009) The human gene map for performance and health-related fitness phenotypes: the 2006–2007 update. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:35–73

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campos GE, Luecke TJ, Wendeln HK, Toma K, Hagerman FC, Murray TF, Ragg KE, Ratamess NA, Kraemer WJ, Staron RS (2002) Muscular adaptations in response to three different resistance-training regimens: specificity of repetition maximum training zones. Eur J Appl Physiol 88:50–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charbonneau DE, Hanson ED, Ludlow AT, Delmonico MJ, Hurley BF, Roth SM (2008) ACE genotype and the muscle hypertrophic and strength responses to strength training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:677–683

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Close RI (1972) Dynamic properties of mammalian skeletal muscles. Physiol Rev 52:129–197

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cureton KJ, Collins MA, Hill DW, McElhannon FM Jr (1988) Muscle hypertrophy in men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 20:338–344

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D’Antona G, Lanfranconi F, Pellegrino MA, Brocca L, Adami R, Rossi R, Moro G, Miotti D, Canepari M, Bottinelli R (2006) Skeletal muscle hypertrophy and structure and function of skeletal muscle fibres in male body builders. J Physiol 570:611–627

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erskine RM, Jones DA, Maganaris CN, Degens H (2009) In vivo specific tension of the human quadriceps femoris muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 106:827–838

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erskine RM, Jones DA, Williams AG, Stewart CE, Degens H (2010) Resistance training increases in vivo quadriceps femoris muscle specific tension in young men. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 199:83–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferri A, Scaglioni G, Pousson M, Capodaglio P, Van Hoecke J, Narici MV (2003) Strength and power changes of the human plantar flexors and knee extensors in response to resistance training in old age. Acta Physiol Scand 177:69–78

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friederich JA, Brand RA (1990) Muscle fiber architecture in the human lower limb. J Biomech 23:91–95

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fry AC, Allemeier CA, Staron RS (1994) Correlation between percentage fiber type area and myosin heavy chain content in human skeletal muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 68:246–251

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilliver SF, Degens H, Rittweger J, Sargeant AJ, Jones DA (2009) Variation in the determinants of power of chemically skinned human muscle fibres. Exp Physiol 94:1070–1078

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hand BD, Kostek MC, Ferrell RE, Delmonico MJ, Douglass LW, Roth SM, Hagberg JM, Hurley BF (2007) Influence of promoter region variants of insulin-like growth factor pathway genes on the strength-training response of muscle phenotypes in older adults. J Appl Physiol 103:1678–1687

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haxton HA (1944) Absolute muscle force in the ankle flexors of man. J Physiol 103:267–273

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holmback AM, Askaner K, Holtas S, Downham D, Lexell J (2002) Assessment of contractile and noncontractile components in human skeletal muscle by magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle Nerve 25:251–258

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hubal MJ, Gordish-Dressman H, Thompson PD, Price TB, Hoffman EP, Angelopoulos TJ, Gordon PM, Moyna NM, Pescatello LS, Visich PS, Zoeller RF, Seip RL, Clarkson PM (2005) Variability in muscle size and strength gain after unilateral resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 37:964–972

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones DA, Rutherford OM (1987) Human muscle strength training: the effects of three different regimens and the nature of the resultant changes. J Physiol 391:1–11

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones DA, Rutherford OM, Parker DF (1989) Physiological changes in skeletal muscle as a result of strength training. Q J Exp Physiol 74:233–256

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kanehisa H, Nagareda H, Kawakami Y, Akima H, Masani K, Kouzaki M, Fukunaga T (2002) Effects of equivolume isometric training programs comprising medium or high resistance on muscle size and strength. Eur J Appl Physiol 87:112–119

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami Y, Abe T, Kuno SY, Fukunaga T (1995) Training-induced changes in muscle architecture and specific tension. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 72:37–43

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kellis E, Baltzopoulos V (1997) The effects of antagonist moment on the resultant knee joint moment during isokinetic testing of the knee extensors. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 76:253–259

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kosek DJ, Bamman MM (2008) Modulation of the dystrophin-associated protein complex in response to resistance training in young and older men. J Appl Physiol 104:1476–1484

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kostek MC, Delmonico MJ, Reichel JB, Roth SM, Douglass L, Ferrell RE, Hurley BF (2005) Muscle strength response to strength training is influenced by insulin-like growth factor 1 genotype in older adults. J Appl Physiol 98:2147–2154

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer WJ, Adams K, Cafarelli E, Dudley GA, Dooly C, Feigenbaum MS, Fleck SJ, Franklin B, Fry AC, Hoffman JR, Newton RU, Potteiger J, Stone MH, Ratamess NA, Triplett-McBride T (2002) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:364–380

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson L, Moss RL (1993) Maximum velocity of shortening in relation to myosin isoform composition in single fibres from human skeletal muscles. J Physiol 472:595–614

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maganaris CN, Baltzopoulos V (1999) Predictability of in vivo changes in pennation angle of human tibialis anterior muscle from rest to maximum isometric dorsiflexion. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 79:294–297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maganaris CN, Baltzopoulos V, Sargeant AJ (1998) In vivo measurements of the triceps surae complex architecture in man: implications for muscle function. J Physiol 512(Pt 2):603–614

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maganaris CN, Baltzopoulos V, Ball D, Sargeant AJ (2001) In vivo specific tension of human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 90:865–872

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller BF, Olesen JL, Hansen M, Dossing S, Crameri RM, Welling RJ, Langberg H, Flyvbjerg A, Kjaer M, Babraj JA, Smith K, Rennie MJ (2005) Coordinated collagen and muscle protein synthesis in human patella tendon and quadriceps muscle after exercise. J Physiol 567:1021–1033

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morse CI, Degens H, Jones DA (2007) The validity of estimating quadriceps volume from single MRI cross-sections in young men. Eur J Appl Physiol 100:267–274

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Narici MV, Roi GS, Landoni L, Minetti AE, Cerretelli P (1989) Changes in force, cross-sectional area and neural activation during strength training and detraining of the human quadriceps. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 59:310–319

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Narici MV, Binzoni T, Hiltbrand E, Fasel J, Terrier F, Cerretelli P (1996a) In vivo human gastrocnemius architecture with changing joint angle at rest and during graded isometric contraction. J Physiol 496(Pt 1):287–297

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Narici MV, Hoppeler H, Kayser B, Landoni L, Claassen H, Gavardi C, Conti M, Cerretelli P (1996b) Human quadriceps cross-sectional area, torque and neural activation during 6 months strength training. Acta Physiol Scand 157:175–186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ottenheijm CA, Heunks LM, Sieck GC, Zhan WZ, Jansen SM, Degens H, de Boo T, Dekhuijzen PN (2005) Diaphragm dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 172:200–205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pansarasa O, Rinaldi C, Parente V, Miotti D, Capodaglio P, Bottinelli R (2009) Resistance training of long duration modulates force and unloaded shortening velocity of single muscle fibres of young women. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 19:e290–e300

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Powell PL, Roy RR, Kanim P, Bello MA, Edgerton VR (1984) Predictability of skeletal muscle tension from architectural determinations in guinea pig hindlimbs. J Appl Physiol 57:1715–1721

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reeves ND, Narici MV, Maganaris CN (2004) Effect of resistance training on skeletal muscle-specific force in elderly humans. J Appl Physiol 96:885–892

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reeves ND, Maganaris CN, Longo S, Narici MV (2009) Differential adaptations to eccentric versus conventional resistance training in older humans. Exp Physiol 94:825–833

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riechman SE, Balasekaran G, Roth SM, Ferrell RE (2004) Association of interleukin-15 protein and interleukin-15 receptor genetic variation with resistance exercise training responses. J Appl Physiol 97:2214–2219

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roman WJ, Fleckenstein J, Stray-Gundersen J, Alway SE, Peshock R, Gonyea WJ (1993) Adaptations in the elbow flexors of elderly males after heavy-resistance training. J Appl Physiol 74:750–754

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford OM, Jones DA (1986) The role of learning and coordination in strength training. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 55:100–105

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford OM, Greig CA, Sargeant AJ, Jones DA (1986a) Strength training and power output: transference effects in the human quadriceps muscle. J Sports Sci 4:101–107

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford OM, Jones DA, Newham DJ (1986b) Clinical and experimental application of the percutaneous twitch superimposition technique for the study of human muscle activation. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 49:1288–1291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seynnes OR, Erskine RM, Maganaris CN, Longo S, Simoneau EM, Grosset JF, Narici MV (2009) Training-induced changes in structural and mechanical properties of the patellar tendon are related to muscle hypertrophy but not to strength gains. J Appl Physiol 107:523–530

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Staron RS, Karapondo DL, Kraemer WJ, Fry AC, Gordon SE, Falkel JE, Hagerman FC, Hikida RS (1994) Skeletal muscle adaptations during early phase of heavy-resistance training in men and women. J Appl Physiol 76:1247–1255

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tracy BL, Ivey FM, Hurlbut D, Martel GF, Lemmer JT, Siegel EL, Metter EJ, Fozard JL, Fleg JL, Hurley BF (1999) Muscle quality. II. Effects of strength training in 65- to 75-yr-old men and women. J Appl Physiol 86:195–201

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trappe S, Williamson D, Godard M, Porter D, Rowden G, Costill D (2000) Effect of resistance training on single muscle fiber contractile function in older men. J Appl Physiol 89:143–152

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trappe S, Godard M, Gallagher P, Carroll C, Rowden G, Porter D (2001) Resistance training improves single muscle fiber contractile function in older women. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 281:C398–C406

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsaopoulos DE, Baltzopoulos V, Maganaris CN (2006) Human patellar tendon moment arm length: measurement considerations and clinical implications for joint loading assessment. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 21:657–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsaopoulos DE, Baltzopoulos V, Richards PJ, Maganaris CN (2007) In vivo changes in the human patellar tendon moment arm length with different modes and intensities of muscle contraction. J Biomech 40:3325–3332

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Widrick JJ, Stelzer JE, Shoepe TC, Garner DP (2002) Functional properties of human muscle fibers after short-term resistance exercise training. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 283:R408–R416

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woolstenhulme MT, Conlee RK, Drummond MJ, Stites AW, Parcell AC (2006) Temporal response of desmin and dystrophin proteins to progressive resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 100:1876–1882

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert M. Erskine.

Additional information

Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Erskine, R.M., Jones, D.A., Williams, A.G. et al. Inter-individual variability in the adaptation of human muscle specific tension to progressive resistance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 110, 1117–1125 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1601-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1601-9

Keywords

Navigation