A Comparative Study of White Muscle and Red Muscle Fiber Architectural Parameters

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to compare red muscle fiber and white muscle fiber muscle architectural parameters of vastus lateralis (VL). The study sample consisted of 70 recreationally active male students from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. One repetition maximum Dr. Hatfield test was used to determine muscle fiber type. Thirty (N1 = 15 red muscle fiber group and N2 = 15 red muscle fiber group) out of 70 samples were retained in study for further evaluation. Muscle architectural parameters (VL, pennation angle [PA], fascicle length [FA], and muscle thickness [MT]) were measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Independent sample t-test was employed to determine a significant difference between selected white muscle fibers group and selected red muscle fibers on the basis of selected muscle architectural parameters. The vastus lateralis muscle showed differences in its PA, FA, and MT between different muscle fiber groups. The PA of red muscle fiber group was greater than white muscle fiber group, whereas the FA and MT of white muscle fiber group were greater than red muscle fiber group. In conclusion, architectural parameters studies carried on specific sports group will be helpful in future, and muscle architectural parameters may be considered as a new approach for muscle fiber type classification in the future.