Vastus Lateralis Cross-Sectional Area Is Associated with Squat Strength and Power in Young Female Acrobatic Gymnasts

Muscle size and architecture contribution to force and power production in young fe-male acrobatic gymnasts (ACRO) remains unclear. This study examined the associa-tions between quadriceps muscle size and architecture and strength–power perfor-mance in young elite female ACRO. Twenty athletes (12–18 years) underwent ultra-sound assessment of rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle VL volume, VL fascicle length, and VL pennation angle. Performance testing included one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat and hang power clean (HHPC), squat power (Pmax), and countermovement jump (CMJ). In adjusted (Tanner stage and height) linear regression models, VL CSA at 35% (β = 2.38 kg per cm², 95% CI 0.24–4.51; p = 0.031) and 50% femur length (β = 2.31 kg per cm², 95% CI 0.60–4.01; p = 0.011) were associated with 1RM squat (R² = 0.46). Similarly, VL CSA at 35% (β = 45.75 W per cm², 95% CI 21.74–69.77; p < 0.001) and 50% (β = 38.43 W per cm², 95% CI 17.93–58.94; p < 0.001) were associated with Pmax (R² = 0.50). No associations were observed for CMJ, HHPC or RF. Mid-thigh VL size appears to be an independent predictor of squat strength and power in ACRO.