Effects of resistance training on elbow flexors of highly competitive bodybuilders.

The influence of gender on muscular adaptation of the elbow flexors to 24 wk of heavy resistance training was studied in five male bodybuilders (MB) and five female bodybuilders (FB) who were highly competitive. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber area, and fiber number were determined from the biceps brachii, and voluntary elbow flexor torque was obtained at velocities of contraction between 0 and 300 degrees/s. Biceps and flexor CSA was 75.

Muscle cross-sectional area and torque in resistance-trained subjects.

Eight elite male bodybuilders (MB), five elite female bodybuilders (FB), eight male control (MC), and eight female control recreational weight-trainers (FC) performed maximal elbow flexions on an isokinetic dynamometer at velocities between 1.02 and 5.24 rad.

Contrasts in muscle and myofibers of elite male and female bodybuilders.

Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber area, and fiber number were determined from the biceps brachii of eight elite male bodybuilders (MB) and five elite female bodybuilders (FB) who had similar training characteristics. Biceps CSA was obtained from computer tomographic scanning and corrected for noncontractile tissue. Biceps CSA was twofold greater in MB relative to FB and strongly correlated to lean body mass (R = 0.