Hirotsugu Morinaga, Kohdai Kishi, Yuta Nakamaru, Taiyo Kurita, Miyuki Nakatani, Masataka Hirotsu and Yohei Takai

[Received August 18, 2025; Accepted April 23, 2026] 

This study aimed to determine whether theoretical maximal pedaling torque (T₀), obtained from a force-velocity (F-V) test using a cycle ergometer, is proportionally related to fat-free soft tissue mass (FFSTM) of the lower limbs in male soccer players. Forty collegiate male soccer players underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess legs FFSTM and performed both a 10-s Wingate test and a F-V test on an electromagnetically braked ergometer. Torque-cadence relationships from the F-V test were used to calculate T₀. Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between T₀ or the torque derived from a 10-s Wingate test (T_Win) and legs FFSTM. Proportionality was assessed by testing whether the regression intercept differed significantly from zero. T₀ showed a significant positive correlation with legs FFSTM (r = 0.689, p<0.001), and the regression intercept did not differ significantly from zero, indicating a proportional relationship. In contrast, although T_Win also correlated significantly with legs FFSTM (r = 0.755, p<0.001), its regression intercept differed from zero, and T_Win /FFSTM negatively correlated with legs FFSTM (r = -0.400, p = 0.010), violating the proportionality assumption. The current results suggest that T₀ is proportionally related to lower limb FFSTM in male soccer players, validating its normalization to legs FFSTM.

Keywords: maximal anaerobic power test, wingate test, DXA, torque-cadence relationship

[Football Science Vol. 23, 40-47, 2026]