Sense of extension force and angle of the knee joint are correlated between two generations of men.

Numerous motor abilities depend on the activity of proprioceptors, which has been suggested to be genetically determined. To test this hypothesis, the control of torque generated by knee extensors and knee position was studied in 30 father-son pairs both before and immediately after running. After stabilisation of the participant in a sitting position, the knee joint of his dominant leg was flexed to 90°, and the maximal voluntary torque (MVT) of the dominant knee extensors under static conditions was measured. The participant then tried five times to produce 50% of the MVT. Next, the participant extended the knee to 45° five times without visual control. Significant correlations between the reproducibility of successive trials for groups of fathers and their sons were found. The correlation coefficients for the repeatability of the knee extension torque were 0.69 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.45-0.84; P < 0.01) and 0.75 (CI = 0.54-0.87; P < 0.01) before and after the fatiguing exercise, respectively, whereas the coefficient for the reproducibility of positioning the knee was 0.49 (CI = 0.16-0.72; P < 0.01) after the fatiguing exercise. Our results indicate a significant influence of hereditary factors on the control of limb torque and position.

The influence of elbow joint angle on different phases of force development during maximal voluntary contraction.

The first aim of the study was to find an elbow joint angle at which muscle can produce maximum voluntary force (Lo(MVC)) and to compare that angle with an angle at which the fastest rates of force development occur (Lo). The second aim of the study was to find if changes in MVC and force development speed at an angle smaller (Ls) and larger (Ll) than the optimal angle depend on whether Ls and Ll were compared to Lo or Ls and Ll to Lo(MVC). Twenty-four male physical education students were tested four times using the BIODYNA dynamometer to measure torque versus time at an optimal length, as well as at lengths that were shorter (Ls = optimal -30 degrees) and longer (Ll = optimal +50 degrees). The average values of optimal angles for force development indices (Lo) were similar to the angle at which maximum force was produced (Lo(MVC)); however, there was a small (5-10 degrees) difference between Lo and Lo(MVC) in the majority of subjects. The results showed that during elbow flexion with the forearm in the midrange position, the difference between Lo and Lo(MVC) was small and did not affect MVC; however, it had a significant effect on the relation between joint angle and force development speed.