Differing hypertrophy patterns from open and closed kinetic chain training affect quadriceps femoris center of mass and moment of inertia

Jacob E Earp; Domenic Angelino; Disa L Hatfield; Vincent Colantuono; Euan R Jackson; Kristin D Morgan; Alessandra Adami; Kathleen J Melanson; Anthony J Blazevich

doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1074705

Differing hypertrophy patterns from open and closed kinetic chain training affect quadriceps femoris center of mass and moment of inertia

Front Physiol. 2023 Mar 14:14:1074705. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1074705. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jacob E Earp^{1

2}, Domenic Angelino², Disa L Hatfield², Vincent Colantuono², Euan R Jackson², Kristin D Morgan³, Alessandra Adami², Kathleen J Melanson⁴, Anthony J Blazevich⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.
² Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States.
³ Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.
⁴ Department of Nutrition, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States.
⁵ Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research (CESSR), School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether kinetic chain pattern during knee extensor strength training influences quadriceps femoris center of mass and moment of inertia about the hip in a predictable manner as such changes can affect running economy. Methods: Twelve participants completed 8 weeks of both unilateral open (OKC) and closed (CKC) kinetic chain resistance training on opposing legs. Changes in quadriceps femoris muscle volume (VOL_QF), center of mass location (CoM_QF), and moment of inertia (I _QF) about the hip were determined from magnetic resonance images scans. Regional hemodynamics of the vastus lateralis taken at 30% and 70% of muscle length during OKC and CKC bouts early in the training program were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and used post hoc to predict changes in CoM_QF. Results: While increases in VOL_QF were similar between OKC (Δ79.5 ± 87.9 cm³) and CKC (Δ60.2 ± 110.5 cm³, p = 0.29), the patterns of hypertrophy differed; a distal shift in CoM_QF (Δ2.4 ± 0.4 cm, p < 0.001) and increase in I _QF (Δ0.017 ± 0.014 kg m², p < 0.001) occurred in OKC but not in CKC (CoM_QF: Δ-2.2 ± 2.0 cm, I _QF: Δ-0.022 ± 0.020 kg m², p > 0.05). Regional hemodynamics assessed by NIRS during a single training session displayed similar exercise and regional differences and predicted 39.6% of observed changes in CoM_QF. Conclusions: Exercise selection influences muscle shape sufficiently to affect CoM_QF and I _QF, and these changes may be predicted in part from NIRS measurements during a single workout. Given I _QF is inversely related to running economy and since CKC exercise provides a more proximal pattern of hypertrophy than OKC, it may be more preferential for running. The results from the present study also highlight the potential of NIRS as a tool for predicting patterns of hypertrophy between different exercises and exercise conditions.

Keywords: biomechanics; center of mass; inhomogeneous hypertrophy; mass distribution; moment of inertia; muscle shape; regional hypertrophy; running economy.

Grants and funding

This study was funded by a Young Investigator Grant from the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation (URI AWD07126). The National Strength and Conditioning Association is a non-profit organization and after approving the proposed study had no input into the reporting of results. AA is supported by a grant from NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL151452).