Functional differences among knee muscles between male and female volleyball middle-blocker

Abstract

The Tensiomyography (TMG) is a non invasive instrument that measure the mucle mechanical characteristics, such as vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) y biceps femoris (BF). The aim of the work was to analyze the functional differences in the knee musculature in high performance volleyball middle-blocker players using TMG as an innovative instrument. The sample evaluated was 44 players (22 male, 22 female), belonging to the Spanish highest competition level. The muscle normalized response speed (Vrn) was studied. The female Vrn outcomes showed a higher values in VL and VM, and lower values in RF and BF. The differences were statistically significant between BF and RF (p=0,020), BF and VM (p=0,002), BF and VL (p=0,000), and between RF and VL (p=0,002). In the male group the outcomes showed a different Vrn higher in BF and VL, and the lower in RF and VM. The differences were statistically significant between BF and RF (p=0,020), BF and VM (p=0,028), RF and VL (p=0,037), and between VM and VL (p=0,051).The Vrn value was higher in BF (p=0,005) for male, and VM (p=0,030), VL and RF for female. In conclusion, there were found obvious differences in the knee musculature response speed for extension (VM, RF and VM) and flexion (BF) in female. The male middle-blocker volleyball players show a better balance in the musculature, where the highest Vrn value was shown in BF, and the lower in VM and RF. These results seem to be a consequence of the technical-tactical requirements and the morphological gender differences.