Maturation-related neuromuscular changes in force production of gymnasts and untrained girls

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate maturation-related changes in force-related factors in gymnasts and untrained girls. A total of 60 female participants were divided into two groups of gymnasts and untrained individuals. Each group had three subgroups of preadolescents, adolescents, and adults according to Tanner's scale. Informed consent forms were obtained from each participant. After familiarity and initial measurements, each subject performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the knee extensors at five different angles to determine the optimal angle of force production. The rate of force development (RFD) was calculated using the torque data. The EMG signal of the rectus femoris muscle was recorded during the MVIC test to measure voluntary activation (RMS). Gymnasts had more absolute torque in all three age groups ( P