Architectural Characteristics of Muscle in Black and White College Football Players

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether architectural characteristics of skeletal muscle differ by race.

Methods: Skeletal muscle architectural characteristics and body composition were studied in 13 black and 31 white male college football players. Fat-free mass (FFM) and percentage body fat (% fat) were determined by hydrostatic weighing technique. Muscle thickness (MTH) was measured by B-mode ultrasound at 13 anatomical sites. Isolated MTH and muscle pennation angle (PANG) of the triceps long head, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis muscles were measured by ultrasound, and fascicle length was estimated.

Results: There were no significant differences between blacks and whites in isolated MTH, PANG, and fascicle length in the triceps long head, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis muscles. On average, % fat and FFM of black and white football players were 18.8 +/- 4.6% and 17.2 +/- 5.6% for % fat, and 89.9 +/- 15.6 kg and 89.1 +/- 10.4 kg for FFM, respectively. Blacks had a significantly greater, 30%-quadriceps (P < 0.05), 50%-hamstrings (P < 0.05), biceps (P < 0.01), and abdomen (P < 0.01) MTH than those of whites. Standing height and body weight were similar between blacks and whites, but the ratio of leg length to standing height was significantly greater in blacks compared with whites.

Conclusions: It appears that although there may be race differences in anatomical stature, muscle architecture is likely independent of race.