Abstract:
During maturation, muscle strength is enhanced through muscle growth, although
neuro-muscular factors are also believed to be involved. In adults, training for power
sports has been shown to enhance muscle strength and activation. The purpose of this
study was to examine muscle strength and activation in power-trained athletes (POW)
compared with non-athletes (CON), in boys and in adults. After familiarization subjects
performed ten 5-s explosive maximal voluntary contractions for elbow and knee flexion
and extension. The adults were stronger then the boys and the adult POW were stronger
then the adult CON, even after correction for muscle size. Normalized rate of torque
development was higher in the adults then in the boys and higher in the POW then CON
boys. The rate of muscle activation was higher in the adults and POW groups. The results
suggest that maturation and power-training have an additive effect on muscle activation.
