Relationship between muscle fiber type and reactive balance: A preliminary study
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Motor Behavior
Volume
47
Issue
6
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Publication Date
3-24-2015
First Page
497
Last Page
502
Abstract
The authors’ objective was to quantify the relationship between type II muscle fiber composition and recovery latency from controlled perturbations. Thirty healthy adults performed a Thorstensson test to indirectly determine muscle fiber composition of the knee extensors. On a subsequent day, reactive balance was measured by assessing latency time required to accommodate three controlled perturbations via computerized dynamic posturography. The proportion of type II fibers had a negative correlation with latency caused by a large backward perturbation (r = –.62, p = .001). These data may indicate a higher percentage of type II fibers in the knee extensors are associated with better reactive balance. Further investigation is warranted, in particular as it pertains to populations at risk for balance impairment.
Recommended Citation
Miller, A., Heath, E., Dickinson, J., and Bressel, E. (2015). Relationship between muscle fiber type and reactive balance: A preliminary study. Journal of Motor Behavior, 47, 497-502.